Saturday, 1:30 am
Donil was frustrated by the lack of progress in finding Laylah. The search had been going for several hours with no success. His periodic trips into the dreamscape had also proven fruitless.
"We're running out of time," he mumbled.
"Did you say something, Donil?"
He glanced over at Benji. "I can't explain it, but I feel like I'm going to lose everything if we don't find Laylah."
"No luck in your dreams either?"
"None. Either they are keeping her drugged or she's too afraid to doze off. Both ways keep me from reaching her."
"Look. Give it one last try. I'm going to get a status update."
"You sure, Benji?"
"Yeah, man. I'm sure. Do your thing. Find your girl."
Donil took a steadying breath. He would find her. He had to. "I'm coming, Laylah." His eyelids closed and he slid into the dreamscape.
~***~
Donil was surprised by the darkness. This was not what he'd envisioned when he'd slipped into the dreamscape.
"Laylah! Laylah! Answer me!"
"She can't hear you, Boy."
He knew that, some day, he would meet others with dream powers like his own. He wasn't expecting it at this crucial moment.
"I don't have time for games! I have to save Laylah!" He felt slightly foolish for shouting in the dark, but didn't dare do anything else. He did not know who he was dealing with.
"You know, Alpha Donil Silentshadow, that I could keep you here indefinitely."
"What purpose would it serve? I don't even know who you are. Nor do I care. I WILL reach Laylah and if I have to fight you, so be it."
The darkness was suddenly filled with loud whisperings. He remained resolute. He didn't bother straining his hearing to understand the voices' words. Laylah meant too much to him and time would only make his feelings grow and solidify.
"Very well, young Alpha. Call to your lady. Give her courage. She's going to need it."
Before he could say thanks, the darkness was replaced by an intense light. After a couple of quick blinks, his eyesight adjusted and he was on a deserted beach. In the distance, Donil saw a body face down in the sand. He broke into a sprint. It couldn't be her!
He stumbled to a halt as he fell to his knees. "Oh my God! Laylah!" With shaking hands, he gently turned her over. He let out a weak gasp of relief when he saw her chest rise and fall. "Thank heavens, you're alive!"
He cradled her to him and whispered, "Please, Beautiful, wake for me."
Laylah groaned, stirred feebly and opened her eyes. "Don, Donil?"
"Hey, Beautiful. You scared me there for a moment."
"Sorry." Her voice was hoarse and she looked exhausted.
"I've been trying to reach you, here in your dreams, but it was hard. My family and I are looking for you but we can't find you. You have to help me, Laylah, so that I can rescue you."
"I don't know where they took me. Donil, that woman, Zina, she's scary. And angry. She's...she's a werewolf! And then she changed into some half-creature thing! And that man, Gerard..." Laylah's outpouring of words ground to a halt as terror flitted across her face.
"Laylah," He gently shook her. He couldn't take that fearful look. "Listen to me. Forget about them for a moment. I need you to concentrate. What does the room look like that you are in?"
She quieted under his touch, but he could still see terror lurking in her gaze. "Laylah?" he prompted.
"It has really high ceilings and it smells like chemicals. It's big enough to fit Britta's party hall in it and still have space left."
"Wait. You said chemicals?"
"Yeah. You know, like the kind that you smell in downtown Heyendo near the plant. Different chemical smell though."
"Laylah, I think I know where you are!" He hugged her tightly. "Listen, rest, if you can. I'm coming to get you. Stay calm, don't panic and be careful of what you say around Zina and Gerard."
"Donil, I'm frightened. Zina keeps calling me prey. It makes my skin crawl. She says she knew my mother. How can that be? There's too much happening at once and I'm confused!"
He pulled back, his gaze searching hers. "Don't believe anything those people say. Promise me, Laylah. They are trying to get you to let your guard down and make you vulnerable. Never forget that you are strong and have courage."
"Me, have courage? I don't have any! If I did, I wouldn't be in this mess!" she yelled.
"See, that's the spirit! Get angry and use it to stay focused and alive. Now, I have to go. I need to get the rescue party to you. Be safe, Laylah."
"Wait, please! Donil, don't leave me!" she clung to him.
He smiled reassuringly. "Laylah, I'll be there. I promise." He didn't give her time to do anything more as he closed his connection to the dreamscape.
~***~
Isabella sat in the passenger seat of the van and smirked. As a small child she had enjoyed games of intrigue. This current one had grown more interesting as the various players emerged. She loved putting a kink in Donil's tail by interrupting his foray in the dreamscape. She'd been suitably impressed when he stood his ground. She had to admit that his tenacity was impressive.
She grinned and Drayden's discreet cough brought her back from her musings. "Yes, Drayden?"
"My Lady, the General has sent word that he has located Zina's base of operations and is doing recon of the area."
"Good. Tell him not to engage until I get there. We will attack at four a.m."
"Yes, my Lady. Anything else?"
"No, nothing else. I want to be the first to sink teeth into that traitorous she-wolf. Kill as many of her army as possible. The Council has authorized extreme measures. Use them. I want a decisive victory. Make sure General Nancer understands that."
"Yes, Lady Isabella. I will relay the message right away."
She turned away, ignoring the drone of his voice as he e-commed her orders. This game in-progress would end the way she had planned it. And when it was all over, no one would ever question her right to lead the Council. With a happy growl, she contemplated the battle ahead.