Page 92 of Power Shift
After repacking the bounty Marnie brought, I carried the basket toward the back. “I’ll be in the office for a little while.”
“Hogging all the pot pie?” Ash called.
“Don’t be jealous, she loves you more than me!” I grinned and waved before disappearing through the door.
A belly fullof delicious comfort food was not conducive to staying awake during work hours. I stretched out on the couch for just a minute to get ready for the second half of the day and nodded off within seconds.
I stood in a dark and twisted garden, black vines and an enormous burned-out tree in the center. The land pulsed with malevolence, all of it coming from that tree. I turned to see Caelan walking up behind me.
“You couldn’t stay awake either?” he quipped.
“Pot pie. How about you?”
Our eyes met. “Worry.”
My heart banged against my ribcage. “Oh? Everything okay?”
“It will be,” he promised. Whatever that meant.
Caelan jerked his head toward the tree. “Any idea what we’re looking at?”
I had a terrible idea I did but slowly shook my head. “I’ve never seen anything like it. I’m more worried about you being in my dream.”
“Until we figure out that seed, I don’t think either of us will stay out of the other’s dreams.” He glanced over. “And how are you so sure it’s your dream and not mine?”
Because my mother was here. I couldfeelher. No wind blew, the air unnaturally stale. I bent and touched my palm to the ground, sending a seeking pulse of power into the earth to try to find any semblance of life.
Nothing lived in this place. No buried seeds or earthworms or grubs. The land was devoid of anything living except for us.
Cliona’s presence loomed like a cancer. I turned, my gaze sweeping the desolate plains to find her. There wasn’t anywhere physical to hide. She managed it, nonetheless.
You will never be enough, Evangeline, a mocking voice whispered in my mind.
There you are, I sent back. On the winning track for Mother of the Year once again.
Rage brushed over my skin.
What is this place?Not expecting an answer, I walked closer to the tree.
What will be if you don’t relinquish the seed.
This is Yggdrasil?
Our tree. The bridge between the worlds.
I know you better than you think, Mother. You won’t use the seed for everyone.
You know nothing about me.
Daughters always know their mothers.
Her mocking laughter surrounded me.
Caelan was staring at me, a quizzical look on his face. He couldn’t hear her.
You aren’t strong enough to hold its power. Give it to me.
I don’t have what you seek.
