Rewriting the Dream

By Arwen Jayne

Mysticism, menage and paranormal mayhem in this final of the series. As the world hurtles towards apocalypse twins Astra and Brenin are asked to enter the cursed space-time anomaly that is Atlantis. They will have to use everything at their disposal: courage, love and friendship if they are to undo the curse that is pulling down the whole planet. Meanwhile Triglav is on the run, sentenced to death for a past he has faced but justice is demanded. Simon must own up to something that happened long ago, something he has hidden until now.

Excerpt:

Astra wrapped the night around her, to conceal herself from any unseen prying eyes then she made her way over to their comatose bodies. She fished through pockets, photographically memorized names on drivers licenses and details of other documents she found on them. She planted small, wafer thin RFID tags deep within their wallets. Noting one guy’s well worn and assumedly much loved gold ring she carefully removed it and found a small space behind the gemstone it held. Just big enough to hide a small, almost transparent, voice activated transmitter. Then she carefully put everything back the way she found it and walked away, just in time. Jessup was driving back as he circled the block.
She took a moment to release the dark and her hold on the thugs minds then she dived into the passenger seat of the waiting car. “Hit the gas Jessup. They’re waking up.”
As his foot hit the accelerator he frowned at the waking thugs in the revision mirror. “How the hell did you...?”
Astra glared at him. “What did I tell you when you first became my partner?”
“Three monkeys.”
“Exactly. You saw nothing strange, heard nothing strange. You will tell no-one.”
Jessup shook his head to clear it. He’d seen her step out of a dark abyss and then the waking thugs were there. At least that’s what he thought he saw. No, he wasn’t putting that in his report. He’d be spending time with his workplace’s shrink if he did. Definitely didn’t see anything. “You have my word Jas.”
And his word was good. “I know I do.” Time had proven that.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Arwen Jayne
• Release date: Feb 25, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370197286

Arwen Jayne

My passion is writing paranormal fantasy romance with a metaphysical twist. When I'm not writing I'm either reading other people's romance and erotica novels, gardening or learning about the myriad of things that interest me: meditation, brain change, metaphysics, linguistics, genetics, myths, magic and the odd bit of science and engineering.

Book preview

Prologue

Millennia ago...

Atha woke in a panic from the nightmare. The vision had been so real, so palpable. He’d learnt long ago to pay heed to his visions. There was a distinct difference to the feel of dreams and visions. He was in no doubt of the urgency as he shook Kama, the love of his life awake.

Kama rubbed the sleep dust from her eyes, eyes that widened as she sensed his alarm."Atha? What is it...?

Gather the children. Quickly. Find Lugh and leave.

But...

He crushed her lips with his fervent kiss, dispelling her protest. "I love you. Always. Trust me. Our lineage must live. Flee to the East. I’ll catch up with you if I can. And if I can’t know, that I will find you in another life. We will meet again."

Tears filled Kama’s eyes. But Atha...

He hugged her briefly then pushed her away from him. Hurry, or all is lost.

He watched her run from the room, looking over her shoulder one last time, longing in her eyes. Then she was gone.

Atha put his soul’s pain behind him. He had to trust that his best friend Lugh would look after his wife and family and see them to safety. He quickly dressed and went to try and reason with those who would doom them all.

Astraea stood before the high altar of Atlantis, arms raised, channeling down the divine energy from the galactic center, through her being, and into the earth. She connected. Found the infinite. Its potential moved down her spine but when the energy met the core of the earth it was jolted back. Something was wrong. Very wrong. Stunned by what had just happened Astraea lowered her arms and tried to think about what could have caused the disconnect. Closing her eyes she sort her answers in the akashic. Straightaway she found the reason. Surely the scientists of Atlantis wouldn’t mess with such powers beyond their ken. To even try was a travesty. Was there time to stop them before they made the situation worse? There was only one way to get to them quick enough. She blinked out of existence and reappeared inside Atlantis's main science lab. Carmen. What the hell do you think you’re doing?

The head scientist looked up from studying the remains of the huge hexagonal garnet they had just shattered as a result of their experiment. Nothing that is of any concern of you.

The well-being of the planet is my concern. You just jarred our connection with the core. These crystals are living beings gifted to us by the ancestors. The Lemurians trusted us with them. They are storehouses of knowledge and protect us with their vibrations.

The woman glared at her, incredulously. I’m not interested in the past. If the Lemurians were so all knowing they wouldn’t have hidden so much from us. You know nothing of the sciences. Go back to your mumblings in the temple and leave us to our work.

Mumblings? Astraea frowned. Were the island’s scientists so lost in the left side of their brains they could no longer feel the balance of nature around them? How had she not seen this happening? Had she been really so engrossed in her temple work that she hadn’t seen the early warning signs?

The scientists turned away and seemed hell-bent on ignoring her continued presence in the room. Always those of the temple had held the highest respect. Not that she gave a damn for her pride. It was the well being and balance of the planet that drove her need to intervene.

She watched as they recalibrated their equipment and aligned it towards a large crystal. Oh my god! They wouldn’t. Yet there it was. The ancient Sama crystal. Harder than any known material and curiously shaped like a man. Always it had been seen as a the great protector of their culture. What are you doing with that stone?

Carmen rolled her eyes, as if a reply was almost beneath her. We’re hoping to bust it apart. To see what it is made of. We’ve been fine tuning the technology for weeks. We think we’re ready.

You can’t. That stone is sacred to our people. Who authorized you?

The scientist shrugged her shoulders. You’re kidding right? It’s just a stone. It’s only value is in finding out what it’s made from. To see if it’s something we can replicate or use to advance our technology.

Atha stormed in, flanked by his guards. Stop what you're doing!

Your highness. Not you too? It’s just a stone. She edged towards the control panel to press the button while she still had the chance.

Atha raised his own great weapon from his side and leveled it at her. Move away from that or you’re dead.

A great growl reverberated around the room as something terrifyingly awful separated from Carmen’s body. Its etheric form became physical. A giant reptilian beast with an almost lion-like head. Carmen watched on, unfazed: as if she’d already known what inhabited her body.

A sword materialized in the reptile’s right claw as it lumbered towards Atha.

Atha swung his sword in an arc, trying to slice its belly. The beast parried and then thrust its sword at him but he stepped back. The beast was advancing on him.

Carmen took the distraction as the chance to move back towards the console, reaching for the button.

No! Astraea screamed. She’d never reach the scientist in time. Some primal instinct to protect the stone had her throwing herself in front of it. In that same instant she channeled the energy of the universe through her hands, sending it directly towards the control panel. Even as she deflected the beam it sliced into her, just as the equipment she’d destroyed spewed smoke, sparks ricocheting around the room.

Atha fared no better. Seeing the high priestess, his sister, fall he became distracted for just that one critical moment the beast needed to drive his sword home. It roared with glee.

With her last dying breaths rattling out of her busted lungs, Astraea connected with her intent and her words of power. You’ve turned your back on your soul connection to pursue only the power of your own mind. In doing so you’ve chosen your own curse. Descend into the abyss of your mind’s illusions!

Surrendering her soul to the universe she died knowing that she had saved the sacred stone and the being she thought it contained. At least that is what she believed.

Astraea, herself, passed into the mists of legend. Some deified her, saying she was the last of the old gods, that she’d fled mankind when they’d descended into wickedness. Some thought her more than a god, an embodiment of the great void, born from the dark womb of the universe. Others still, said she ascended to the stars to became the constellation virgo. One thing they all agreed in hoping for was that someday she might return.

35 years before the present...

A tall man, cloaked and hooded in a special grey material that hid his aura, strode to Janic Jasinki’s door, almost godlike. Which he was, sort of. He knocked on the heavy wooden door.

An eye peered out through the peep hole.

The cloaked figure brushed his hood back. His close cropped copper hair sparkled in the moonlight. It’s me.

Janic opened the door, surprised. Simon? What are you doing here at this hour? There’s a curfew. Come in. His greeting was warm but he nodded to the stairs. I’m afraid it’s not a good time. Zofia came home from hospital today. Her hysterectomy went well. They got all the cancer but she’s not adjusting too well to the fact she’ll never have children. I had to give her a sedative the doctor prescribed. He ushered Simon into the downstairs reception room. We can talk in here. Can I get you anything to drink?

A water would be nice. And no I don’t mean your vodka.

Janic, despite the tone of the day, managed a grin. Can I never tempt you? But he was only teasing. He had the highest respect for Simon and would allow him any quirk. Simon had been been pivotal in bringing much needed information to the Polish Solidarity movement. They were all in his debt.

Simon undid the brooch that held his cape in place, sliding it off his shoulder.

Janic took it from him to hang on the close peg on the back of the door, but not before he noticed the front harness the cape had concealed. He watched with fascination as Simon lovingly removed two bundles from the baby harness and propped them up on separate cushions on the sofa. Both of the bundles whimpered.

Oh, I’m sorry. He repositioned the bundles so they were side by side. The whimpers subsided. They don’t like being apart.

Janic looked on with wonder and curiosity. They?

Simon waved him over. Come and meet them.

1

Present Day

No I don't want a twelve month contract...No I don't want an additional plan. I just want you to fix the one I'm on...Are you even listening to what I'm saying...yes my name's Astra. That's what it says on my driver's license. Look I'm putting you on speaker phone so I don't have to keep holding this damned thing to my ear.

Astra pressed the speaker button then propped her mobile phone up against her mug on the coffee table. Her tea had long ago gone cold. She'd been waiting on hold for about fifty minutes just to get through to someone, and then it had been the wrong section. She'd rung customer support and got technical who'd had to transfer her yet again. Agh! Can you hear me now?

Yes Ms Jasinski, as I was saying that name does not match what we have in file for the phone you are ringing from.

Astra sighed. Try Astraea.

Could you spell that for me ma'am?

A-s-t-r-a-e-a

Thank you ma'am. That matches. How can I help you?

Grr. As I was trying to tell you ten minutes ago the operator I spoke to on Thursday didn't extend my broadband allowance on my current month-by-month plan. He signed me up for a second plan I don't need.

I understand ma'am. You don't want the extra ten gigabyte of data.

Astra rolled her eyes. Her words had an unusual power to cause things she said to become reality so she bit her tongue to stop from cursing. Instead she took a deep breath. "Yes I do want the extra data but I want it on my current month by month plan, not the second one the guy I spoke to on Thursday signed me up to. Especially not a twelve month contract. Look can you fix this or not or do I have to go to the telecommunications ombudsman?"

I understand your frustration ma'am. I am doing my very best to fix the problem. Could you give me the number of the second plan?

Astra bit her lip rather than swear. Have you or have you not got my account details on a screen in front of you?

Yes ma'am, I have those details.

And is one my existing month by month plan and the other other the twelve month I don't want?

Yes ma'am.

Well then. Delete the twelve month contract. Can you do that?

Yes ma'am. I can.

And? Then delete it. Pause. Have you deleted it?

Yes ma'am. I have deleted. Can I help you with anything else?

Flippin’ hell. "Yes, you can extend the data allowance on my current month by month plan. Can you do that?

How much would you like to extend it by?

Astra sighed again. How hard could this be? Look, just give me an extra ten gigabytes. That will be enough while I'm away from home. I assume I can reduce it back down when I come back home?

Oh, you're going on a holiday? Where to? Would you like one of our plans to cover roaming charges?

No I would not. Where I'm going is my business. Can you answer my last question or not?

Yes ma'am, I'm doing my very best to help you. I have increased the data allowance on your current month-by-month plan.

And I can reduce that allowance when I get back?

Yes ma'am.

Thank you.

It has been my pleasure to help you ma'am. Please hold on the line to answer a short feedback survey.

Yeah. That she could do. Zero, zero, zero and no she wouldn't be recommending the company to her friends. She could really do with another cuppa. Astra wondered if her brother had surfaced yet for the day.

She pounded on his door and got a groan in response. You want me to put the jug on? Gods! It was already three in the afternoon. He should have something to eat before he went off to his gig for the night.

The door opened gingerly. Another groan. Morning Sis.

It’s nearly evening.

Yeah, whatever. Hey! A girl in hastily dressed disarray pushed past him. Not stopping?

Sorry handsome. I was great but... She kissed him on the cheek then made a rapid exit out the front door.

Brenin’s shoulders sagged.

Astra frowned. They’re using you, you know that don’t you, you and Lanz.

Lanz exited the same bedroom, wearing only his jeans. Yeah, but we can have a bit of fun while they get their bragging material. There’s no end to them. When they’re old and grey with a dozen grandkids vying for their attention they can reminisce about sleeping with a famous lead singer and his band manager. Win-win.

Astra wasn’t fooled. She’d known her brother’s friend long enough to know when he was trying to put a positive spin on things. It was his job after all.

Brenin let out a deep sigh. I’d just like us to be something more than a tick on someone’s scorecard.

The smile vanished off Lanz’s face. Yeah me too. Then he patted his best friend on the back. She’s out there mate. I know it. The perfect woman who will love both of us. But for now we’ve got to focus on tonight’s concert. You going to finally do that new song you wrote?

Astra smiled as Brenin brightened. Lanz sure knew how to manage him.

Yeah, the band have it down pat now. I’ll throw it in towards the end of the show and we’ll see how the crowd respond to it.

Wouldn’t you use it up front? Astra queried. It seemed strange that they wouldn’t want to show off their newest piece.

Lanz shook his head vigorously. No way. Audiences can maul you if you don’t give them what they want and what they want is the songs they know and love. The ones they can sing along with in their head. Once we’ve got the crowd warmed up then we’ll introduce the new one.

You make it all sound as dangerous as my work.

Lanz pursed his lips, considering that. Neither he or Brenin really knew what she did. Just that she worked for ASIO. If she was as capable as her adopted father he guessed she knew how to handle herself. Almost. A band is only ever as good as their last concert. Especially in these days of social media. If we mess it up they really will maul us. The crowd feels they own the band, not the other way around. They’re hard task masters but we love ‘em. Now did I hear some mention of a cuppa?

Astra smirked, who said I was making you anything?

I’ll cook, he offered.

Deal.

Astra made the drinks while Lanz fossicked around the kitchen cupboards and threw together a late afternoon breakfast for them. Brenin returned from his bedroom with his favorite Maton guitar and entertained them with his new song.

There is a magic

Beyond the worlds and time

That is profoundly deep

Yet so simple

It confounds the rational mind

There is a magic

Beyond the worlds and time

It lies within our hearts

Beyond the grasp of hands and mind

It confounds the schemer’s kind

There is a magic

Beyond the worlds and time

Within a single pristine moment

Still and spacious joy

Its stillness confounds my rhyme

What is this magic?

Beyond the worlds and time

It’s the power of Yes

Yes to being and letting go

Into the vastness of infinity before me and mine

Astra plonked a mug on the coffee table in front of him, just as he finished the song. It’s profound. They’ll love it. Even if they don’t get it on a conscious level they’ll love it. It speaks to the soul.

Her warm praise removed the last of his unhappy mood. Thanks Sis. And what about you? You still heading off on holidays tomorrow?

Yeah. They’ve been hounding me at work to take my accrued leave. And anyway this documentary film Dad’s shooting sounds interesting. Someone’s managed to clone a bunch of Tasmanian Tigers and they’re about to release them into the wild. The media are in a frenzy. I doubt Dad’ll mind having a personal assistant. I’ve just got to clear up one last job before I go.

You going to tell us what?

Astra winced. It was that age old question. They wanted her to trust them but it wasn’t as simple as that. She’d signed the Official Secrets Act. You know I’d have to kill you if I told you. She joked, trying to make light of answer.

Brenin sighed. Just be careful.

Always. Staying safe she couldn’t promise but taking care she could. It relieved her greatly not to have to tell her brother a lie.

Astra glanced at her watch. Her partner was late, again. Most would wonder why she didn’t get herself a more reliable partner but what they couldn’t know was that he was exactly what she needed. Steady, easy-going, almost laid back. After five years working with each other he knew her better than most. He knew too much of her strange ways but he said nothing to anybody about them. He might not have much of a sense of time but as far as trust he was a rock of reliability. They both knew this was a routine surveillance job. As his boss she would have to chastise him for not being here but as they both knew she was never really on her own.

Acknowledging that she extended her feelings out into the night. Every small creature in the vicinity felt her mind's caress. They were hers as much as she was theirs.

Her mind found Archimedes, her favorite owl. A Southern Bookbook, chocolate brown with a speckling of white on its front. It slept by day in the nearby nature reserve but at night it ventured into the labyrinth of concrete and glass that made up these backstreets. She let her mind’s eye connect with his. Just like that she could see with his vision. The dark became light. His ears were also hers. With pinpoint accuracy Archimedes focused in on each and every movement around him.

Fly! Astra prompted and he flew from his perch high above the concrete buildings, dark alleys, street signs and the day’s accumulation of garbage bins. This part of the Canberra was pretty dead at night. More an industrial area with factories, trade suppliers and the odd cafe. All closed early except for the porn shops and the tattoo parlors. A few brothels, sorry ‘massage parlors’, were discretely located up in the back blocks of malls and small side streets. Small but brightly lit ‘open’ signs were the only indication they were in business for the night.

And there he was. The target. Damn! She was too far away, hidden as she was behind the alley’s bins. She’s hoped to send up an infrared camera on a super quiet drone before this deal went down. Work would only have her word on what she’d seen as the man in a grey hooded raincoat passed a wad of cash to another man who’d now exited the tattoo parlor. The other was a giant of man with seemingly no neck. The tattoo on the side on his neck identified him. Mad Mike. But Archimedes heard a mouse and his interests diverted to his prey, not hers. Damn! She disconnected from the owl’s mind before it made its kill.

Did I miss anything? Jessup asked as he crept up to her, a large box of pink icing coated donuts in his hand.

Astra glared at him: the urge to hit him up the side of the head vying with the sure knowledge that doing so would get her up on charges of bullying a work colleague.

Jessup frowned. What?

Scarface Frank just paid Mad Mike the ten grand and if you’d been here... She left the implication unsaid. He was the operator of their surveillance drone after all.

Shit!

What are we going to tell the boss?

Not my problem. I’m writing up what I saw and then I’m off on hols. YP, your problem.

Aw, don’t be like that, Jas, using a shortened version of her surname. How’d you ever see it go down from this far away anyway? He offered her a donut.

But Astra hushed him with a hand signal, then pointed out a problem. Three men in black balaclavas were headed their way. This wasn’t good. Were they just a rogue gang on the prowl or was someone aware of their presence in the area and had come looking?

Astra pointed to the car and indicated to Jessup to go. She made a motion with her hand to indicate he should do the block and then come back around to pick her up.

Jessup raised his eyebrows in query. None to happy with her order. But she was the senior on the op and he knew it.

Shaking his head he half rose to go, still concealed by the dumpster. But Astraea had a second thought. He’d need a distraction. She held