Dreams and Vampires

By Dee Krull

As a Clinical Hypnotherapist, Laurel knows her business. However, when her clients are being taken one by one by a vampire named Naken, she fears that somehow the hypnotherapy is also responsible. Raithe, Laurel's best friend and sometimes assistant, fears for her own life, as well as Laurel's and her clients. The two of them race against time to try and figure out why her clients are being taken and how to stop Naken from taking anyone else. But this is not the only dilemma that Laurel is facing. There are Ben and Kianas, the two loves in her life.

The choices Laurel makes are tantamount to what the future holds for her and the people she loves. Ben, a love from her past has just come back into her life. Kianas is a new love who promises her a future that she could never have imagined, on another world called Htrae. Htrae is a world from another universe filled with beauty beyond belief; but it is also filled with danger - one that threatens Laurel's life and her ability to hold on to her past. If she allows Kianas to turn her, she may never be a part of her son's life. But if she stays human she is in danger of loosing her life.

Filled with intrigue, danger, excitement, and romance, "Dreams and Vampires" will keep readers engrossed from the first page until the very last.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dee Krull
• Release date: Oct 7, 2011
• ISBN: 9781465357069

Dee Krull

I am a retired clinical hypnotherapist. I completed my Ph.D. in 1990 and started a private practice which lasted twenty-five years in Southern California. I moved to Tucson, Arizona in 2005 with my late husband Chad where I began to explore my creative side in singing acting and writing. I have three children living in Southern California, one who adopted me in Sparks, Nevada and seven grandchildren."Dreams and Vampires" was inspired by my late husband's love of science fiction and my own inquisitive nature of "what ifs." It is a combination of science fiction and fantasy with my own experience as a hypnotherapist thrown into the mix.I wrote "Dreams and Vampires" in Arizona. However, when I decided to place the beginning of my story in Arcata, California it rekindled my love of the North West and the peaceful solitude it has to offer. I will soon move to Northern California with my cat Gwynie and Finish writing my second book in the series of "The Saga of a World Called Htrae."

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Dreams and Vampires

Dee Krull

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2011 by Dee Krull

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Library of Congress Control Number: 2011915227

ISBN: Hardcover 978-1-4653-5705-2

Softcover 978-1-4653-5704-5

Ebook 978-1-4653-5706-9

This book was also printed in the United States of America. To order printed copies of this book, contact: Xlibris Corporation

1-888-795-4274

www.xlibris.com

[e-mail]

~ ~ ~

Preface

What if everything you thought was an illusion turned out to be true? How would you react if suddenly you discovered that the stories you thought were fantasy, are true?

Many great authors have written science fiction novels about events that are now scientific fact.

According to Wikipedia, the Internet encyclopedia, stories about vampires and werewolves predate recorded history, so how do we know that they never existed?

Physicists are saying now that parallel worlds are a real possibility, our universe is filled with many galaxies and universes. It boggles the mind to think about how many parallel worlds could be out there. Oh yes, and one more thing . . . a parallel world . . . can also be very different from ours.

What if . . . on one of these parallel worlds . . . vampires and werewolves are real?

~ ~ ~

Book One

Earth

Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there wondering, fearing, doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before.

- Edgar Allan Poe

~ ~ ~

One

It was such a beautiful, warm sunny day. I sighed as I put my elbows on the windowsill, chin in my hands. How could such a beautiful day be dangerous?

I looked over the sill to see if anyone was around. No one was outside. I ran across my room to the door and peeked out. I didn’t see anyone out in the hall. I managed to get downstairs before I heard voices. I hid behind the staircase and listened.

Cosie, have you seen Laurel?

Yes, mistress, she is in her room. Would you like me to get her?

No, leave her be for now. Come, I have some things I need you to do. Cosie and my mother went the other way. I raced down the stairs and out the front door, past the courtyard, and into the forest. All the trees were in bloom, and the sun made the trees glisten as it touched the dew still on the leaves. I was so busy looking at the flowers and flying bugs that I didn’t realize I was being followed. When I heard the sound of soft footfalls behind me, I hid behind a tree.

I saw him as he walked between the trees quietly. He stopped as if he were listening. Then he raised his chin as he sniffed the air. Slowly he turned toward me, looking directly at me. When I looked into his eyes my breath caught in my throat, his eyes were the eyes of an animal, overpowering as he looked down at me. He was tall, with long dark hair and he was bare from the waist up. Hello Laurel, he said in a menacing voice. I screamed, waking up in a sweat. I sat up pulling the covers off my boyfriend, Ben.

Laaaaurel . . . what are you doing? he complained.

I lay back down trying to slow my breathing. Sorry, go back to sleep.

Was it your dream again? he said sleepily.

I rolled over and wrapped myself around him. Yeah, I’m sorry I woke you, honey. I kissed him on the shoulder.

He rolled over to face me, pulling me closer. You really need to do something about that, you know. You’ve been having that dream more frequently lately.

I know, but I don’t know what to do about it. I’ve been having it for as long as I can remember. Go back to sleep. I yawned. We don’t have any classes today.

Too late, I’m awake now. He got up and headed for the bathroom. A few minutes later, I heard the shower turn on.

I sat up on the side of the bed. Okay, I may as well get up too, I mumbled to myself. Then I felt a cold glass of water being poured on my back. Beeeeen! I screamed. He ran for the bathroom, I ran after him. Now you’re in trouble!

Too late, he said from the shower, laughing.

Don’t worry. You’ll get yours, I said climbing into the shower with him.

Ben and I have been together since our freshman year in college. We met for the first time in yoga class, shortly after I enrolled in California State University, Fullerton. He was six feet tall, had sandy-brown hair, and gorgeous brown bedroom eyes. I was surprised when he came up to me after class and asked if I wanted to go for coffee.

So what do you want to do today? asked Ben as he was towel-drying his hair.

I don’t know . . . Hmm, how about lunch and a movie? I was brushing my teeth, trying to talk at the same time.

Ben walked into the bedroom to get dressed. I hear the new Brea complex is pretty cool. What did you do with the paper? I’ll see what’s playing.

It’s on the table where you left it last night, I said as I walked into the bedroom. I pulled on a pair of jeans and a T-shirt and walked into the living room. What would you like for breakfast, Ben?

Let’s just go to the bookstore coffee shop. I’m really not that hungry, he answered.

Ben was a coffee-shop guru. Our first two dates were at our favorite coffee shop, baring our souls to each other. We decided we had a lot in common; we were both psych majors, we both loved yoga, and we were both into metaphysics - not a lot to go on for a lasting relationship, but we were young.

Ben was bent over the paper as I quietly came up behind him, an ice cube in my hand. I quickly dropped it down the back of his pants. He grabbed my hand, too late.

You brat! He laughed as I ran into the bedroom and slammed the door.

Right, do you really think I won’t get in there? He pushed the door open with very little effort. He was, after all, six foot and all muscle. I, on the other hand, was five foot one and did not stand a chance.

Okay, I give, I said, hands palm out in front of me. I watched his hand suspiciously behind his back. If you put that ice cube anywhere besides the sink, you will live to regret it tonight, I warned. And no, we are not going to see that war movie.

He gave me a smoldering look. What about tonight? And why can’t we see the war movie? We went to see that chick flick you wanted to see last week. And I hate it when you do that. Do what? I asked innocently.

Read my mind.

Ben and I did have an unusual connection. No matter how far apart we were, we could always communicate, and I don’t mean by phone.

Alright, we’ll go to your stupid war movie, but I get to pick where we go to lunch.

Fine, we’ll go to the veggie place. He sighed, dropping his hand. You must belong on another planet, who doesn’t like meat.

That wouldn’t surprise me. Sometimes I feel like an alien from another planet. I laughed as I threw his jacket at him, which he caught expertly. Then we were out the door and off to enjoy our Saturday.

One of our favorite places to go was the bookstore to have coffee and pastry while we browsed the books or just talked about our classes.

As I was browsing, I came across a book called Hypersentience: Exploring Your Past Lifetime As a Guide to Your Character and Destiny, by Marcia Moore. Ben was reading the paper with his coffee poised to drink, when I came back to the table and sat down.

Have you ever heard of this book? I asked as I put it in front of him.

He picked it up, scanning the index. Maybe, I think Shirley said something about this book last week in class. Shirley was a mutual friend who was in one of our psych classes.

Yeah, she showed it to me, I said. She said I might be able to remember and examine my dreams using the hypnosis techniques discussed in this book.

Why don’t you get it? We might be able to help you remember those disturbing dreams you’ve been having.

It sounds interesting, but I think I would rather learn how to let go of those dreams, I said with apprehension. I felt a shiver go down my back as I remembered waking up that morning.

Ben turned his wrist to look at his watch, "Wow! It’s almost eleven thirty. We had better go to lunch if we are going to make the one o’clock movie.

I had a hard time focusing on the movie, I couldn't shake the feeling of dread I had about remembering my dream. I didn't realize the movie was over until the lights came up and the popping sound of the seats as people were standing up.

After the movie, Ben and I drove home to our apartment in silence. Once inside he grabbed the book and started reading while I busied myself in the kitchen.

Babe, I think this might work really well. There are several different hypnosis techniques we can try.

I came out of the kitchen drying my hands, yeah? I was skeptical, I don't know Ben, I'm not sure I want to remember that dream. According to the books, forgetting is how the mind protects you from traumatic situations.

Come on, baby, you know I've been taking a class that includes using hypnosis techniques in therapy. Besides, you know I wouldn’t do anything to hurt you. I might make you talk like Daffy Duck, but nothing worse than that. He laughed at my skepticism.

I punched him in the arm, looking away. You’re making fun of me now. I pouted.

He gave me that smoldering look again as he inched toward me, I could make you do anything I want you to, he said as he wiggled his eyebrows and talked like Bella Lugosi.

I crossed my arms over my chest, Right . . . I don’t think so. I was told that you can’t make someone do something unless they are willing. I sighed, Oh, all right, but you had better stop if I ask you to.

Excellent, where’s the book? He said with enthusiasm, putting his arm around me. Not to worry, sweetheart. I wasn’t amused.

We pored over the book for a few hours, going over some of the inductions and questions he would ask. I still wasn’t convinced that this would help rather than make things worse, but I finally gave in.

Ben used the induction from the book; then he used the script provided to do the regression.

I’m going to take you back to a time in your childhood when you felt warm and safe, Laurel.

I am a very good subject, so before long I was walking through a beautiful forest. The world around me was not like Earth. It was so beautiful that I was lost in wonder at the colors around me. It had never been so vivid and clear in my dreams. I felt like I was actually there.

Where are you, Laurel? Ben asked me.

I am in the most beautiful forest I have ever seen.

How old are you?

I am fourteen, I said in a child-like voice.

Are you happy?

Oh yes, I am very grown-up and I have already started to change.

How are you changing, Laurel? Ben asked puzzled.

I’m becoming . . . I paused. Someone is coming, I whispered.

Who’s coming? asked Ben. Can you see them?

It’s a human, I think.

What are you doing?

I’m hiding behind a tree.

Is this human a man or woman?

He is a man. He is walking through the trees.

Can you see him clearly?

Yes, he stopped and his chin is raised like he is sniffing the air, but I can’t see his face very well.

Does he see you?

I’m not sure . . . No! Oh no! I screamed and sat up opening my eyes.

Ben immediately brought me out of hypnosis. Once I calmed down he began to question me. Can you tell me what frightened you?

I tried to explain. He had the body of a man, but when he looked at me, his eyes were those of an animal. Like a wolf, he had one green eye, and the other one was pale white with a dark-blue circle around it. I knew he was going to hurt me, I was only a child. I looked up at Ben. He called me Laurel. I don’t understand. I’ve never been to that place. It was definitely not Earth. I don’t think I want to do that again, Ben. I would rather not remember that face again.

Did it feel like a past life to you?

I don’t know Ben and I don’t care. My voice was getting louder. Okay, don’t worry, he said calmly. We won’t hypnotize you again unless you want to.

For the first time since the dream started, I had seen and remembered everything about the dream. No wonder I had blocked it out. I refused to let Ben regress me again.

***

The day we graduated from college was a milestone we had been eagerly looking forward to. We both graduated with a bachelor of science in psychology and our parents were there to usher us into our new world along with Ben’s sister and my brother.

I can’t believe it. It’s finally over. I said to Ben as I hugged him. He laughed, If our parents have anything to say about it, it won’t be over. He was in the middle of kissing me when he looked up. Uh-oh, I see them now. He took my hand as we walked toward our families.

We all went back to our apartment to change and go out to dinner.

As we were on our way to our cars, I noticed a strange man watching us.

He was very tall with pale skin and eyes. I looked away when my dad called me over. When I turned to look at him again, he had vanished. Odd, I thought.

What’s up, Daddy? I said as I walked up to my dad.

Your mom wants to stop by the mall for something, so we’ll meet you at the restaurant, he said, annoyed.

Sure, Dad, we’ll order an appetizer while we’re waiting, I said still a bit distracted.

I ran back to our car, where Ben was waiting for me. What was that all about? he asked.

Oh, just Mom being Mom, she needs to go shopping at the mall. She probably forgot to get a card.

We both laughed then took off for the restaurant and I forgot all about the strange man I had seen.

***

Ben and I decided to take some time off for awhile before we made any decisions about the future. We both had jobs and it was nice to have our time to ourselves for a change.

One night while having dinner at home, fate stepped in and made our decision for us.

Come on Ben, dinner is ready, I called out as I took the rolls out of the oven.

Okay babe, I’ll be right there.

I opened the kitchen window to cool the kitchen off. Even though it was the first week in October, we were having a heat wave. Ben! Come on the food’s getting cold. I walked into the living room to see what was keeping him. Ben, what are you doing? I said exasperated.

He looked up from the paper. There’s an article in the paper about a stage hypnotist. He’s looking for an assistant with experience in hypnosis.

Really, that’s what you’ve been wanting to do. Are you going to apply for the position?

He had a huge grin on his face when he looked up at me. What do you think?

Okay, but let’s talk about it over dinner. While it’s still hot, I said, a little annoyed. I went back into the kitchen and sat at the table. Ben finally came in and sat down as well.

As he ate, Ben started making plans. You know, if I do this, it will mean traveling to where the work is. He studied my reaction.

I remembered I had opened the window wide, so I got up to close it. I’m not sure I want to travel just yet. I have other commitments right now. I was teaching yoga in exchange for classes at the Metaphysical Church we belonged to.

You knew this was going to happen, babe. He was eating while he talked and not paying attention to the fact that I was staring out the window.

The man I had seen on the day of our graduation was standing on the sidewalk looking up at me. We lived on the second floor, so I had a very good view of him. He was wearing unusual clothes, but I couldn’t see them well enough to give a description. His hair was dark and long, to his shoulders.

Ben, I whispered. Come here, quick.

Ben looked up from his food. What?

Come here. I was afraid to look away for fear he would vanish again.

Ben got up reluctantly and walked over to me. What’s wrong, babe?

Look at the man on the sidewalk. I was still staring at him and he back at me.

Ben put his arms around my waist and his chin on my shoulder as he looked out the window. What man? I don’t see anyone.

I turned and looked up at him. You don’t see anyone? I asked, confused.

When I turned back to the man, he was gone. I must be losing my mind. He was right there on the sidewalk, staring at me.

Well, he’s gone now. Let’s eat our cold dinner, shall we? He kissed me on the neck and pulled me back to the table. About the travel, I need to know if you’re OK with me taking this job.

It’s what you want to do, Ben. You need to follow your dream, but first you have to get the job.

Right you are, he said thoughtfully. I’ll apply for the job tomorrow.

***

Ben got the job. He was so happy that his training as a hypnotist had paid off, and Eric, his new boss knew the owner of the hypnotherapy school we were attending.

I really wanted to know more about metaphysics and hypnosis, and Ben really wanted a career in stage hypnosis. I was not ready to drop everything and follow him, so we admitted to each other it was time to go our separate ways. We parted as friends and have kept in touch through the years. Sometimes even more than we wanted to. Our connection seemed to get stronger during the years we were apart. He was very successful as a stage hypnotist, and when he was in town, he would always come to see me.

One of those times was at a birthday party for our friend Shirley. Ben talked nonstop about Erick and the fact that he had made him his partner. They were booked in Las Vegas for the summer, so he would be taking off the next day.

I was talking to another friend of mine when I saw a very cute guy leaning against the fireplace, staring at me and talking to someone else. Cindy, who is that guy over there? I had turned away from him and toward her.

She looked over my shoulder. Why don’t you ask him yourself? He’s standing right behind you. She said as she looked up.

My eyes were wide as I turned around and looked up at him. Um, hi, was all I could get out.

He smiled down at me and extended his hand, Hi, I’m Peter.

Laurel. I shook his hand. He had the most beautiful blue eyes and a smile that made me melt. I think it was love at first sight for both of us.

Would you like to dance? He never let go of my hand. He just pulled me up, and we were on the dance floor, which was in Shirley’s dining room. He was a great dancer, no turning in circles. He held me tight, and we used every inch of that floor. When the song was over, he took advantage of the moment as I looked up at him; he kissed me slowly, leaving me breathless. I fell in love with Peter at that moment with that kiss.

We talked about almost everything from science fiction books and movies to our life stories that night and I did go home with him. After six months of dating, we moved in together. He was a program manager in Aerospace and one of the smartest people I had ever met. He asked me to marry him a year later.

After we were married, I went to work at a hypnotherapy clinic while I went back to school and earned a PhD in clinical hypnosis. Not long after that, I opened my own private practice.

My dreams continued to plague me. The first time I woke Peter up screaming, I was reluctant to tell him about my dreams.

Come on, honey, you need to tell me about this. I suspected there was something wrong when you started running in your sleep that time we went to see Ben in Vegas.

I was running in my sleep? I said incredulous. How could you tell that?

He put his arms around me as he kissed me. Because your legs were moving back and forth and you were making noises like you were breathing hard.

Why didn’t you tell me about it? I asked embarrassed. Because you stopped when I put my hand on you. Anyway I thought it was cute. He smiled at me, I didn’t realize it was a nightmare until you woke up screaming tonight. So tell me, what are you running from?

I decided I had better tell him about the dreams in case I woke up screaming again. I’m running from a man who doesn’t look like a man. He has the eyes of an animal, a wolf I think. And I’m not on earth, at least it doesn’t look like any place I have ever seen. I think the dreams might have something to do with the hypnosis. The dreams are more vivid and real when I am a hypnosis subject.

Do you have more than one dream about these things? I was surprised how he was taking all this. I would have been thinking, she must be deranged or just plain nuts.

We talked for most of the night. Peter didn’t understand how the hypnosis could be causing the dreams to reoccur, but he agreed that I should stop allowing anyone else to use hypnosis on me. Frankly, I didn’t know what the hypnosis had to do with the dreams either, but when the hypnosis stopped, so did the dream.

Peter was an avid reader of science fiction so he was intrigued with the idea that I thought I was on another planet. There have been many authors from the past who have written about a future that has come to pass and he had read them all. I

Reviews for Dreams and Vampires

[Murphy · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I think it's great that an author is shaking up the stereotype of the vampire story. But the 2, sci fi and vampire don't gel well together in all parts of story. It chops and changes without flow. Overall a quick different read