Memory Bound-Chapter 4

Ever knows she is dreaming. For thisc ould not be reaity. What she sees would be impoosible.The great crimson moon. The event of her world that bestows great power to those who gaze upon it. She could feel its power. This moon only occurs in her world. Not on earth. But here she stards on a corner of Bourbon Street with the full crimson moon hanging in the night sky. She looks around at the mass of moving bodies that fill the streets oblivious to the unusual phenomenon. To her right Astrian slowly makes his way to her with Avery close behind. But she isnt looking at him. A dark figure moves through the crowd. Slowly, carefuly like a predetor, making sure they cannot be fully seen. She glances back at Astrian then to the figure. She slowly makes her way on to the street watching it closely. She gets closer noticing the dark cloak that hides its face. The crimson light of the moon gives it a red glow. She notices only it has the glow. The humans that surround have become dark and shadow like as they move about the streets. Only the figure can be seen clearly. As she draws closer she realizes its a man.  A soft laugh echos through the crown seemingly coming from everywhere but she knows it comes from him. All the noise from the crowd has stopped to be replaced by the haunting laugh. Just as she get close enough to reach for his hood to reveal his face she is jerked from her dream into darkness. As everytime she gets to close to discovering something she isnt meant too she is thrown into darkness until she wakes.

Ever wakes to find herself tangled in her sheets and Mimi staring at her slightly agiatated. The fur on her back bristling as she paces across the bed. With a reassuring pat she detangles herself and sits up. Mimi places herself in her lap and nuzzles her hand. "All is fine. Just a dream..", Ever says softly, not sure if she believes it herself. A rare as they may be, being forced out of a dream meant she was seeing something the gods didnt want her to see or know. Brushing her hair from her face she decided to put it aside for now until she can speak with Ares.

She stretchs her leg feeling only minor tightness but no pain. Its been two weeks since the incident at Astrians Cafe and she is just now recovering from wound she recieved. Normally a wound would heal within a few hours but Macon's pack are a unique kind of wolf demon. Their fangs containing a poison used only in battle. A poison that would normally kill but Ever's immune system and fast healing prevented that extreme. Just keeping her bedridden with extreme pain and swelling  in her entire left leg even though the wound has healed leaving only two long scars.

Satisfied she reaches for her glasses and slides them on her face just as Astrian bursts through the door, "Get up. Gonna be late for school. You comin or not?" Ever gives him a short shake of her head to be returned with a groan and slamming of her door. Sighing she climbs out of bed and crosses over to her closet to get dressed. School was the least of worries today. She still hasnt explained anything to Drake and Nina and Ares would only  see her at night at a club he likes to frequent for the women. Dressed in a pair of faded jeans and a black tee with silver angel wings printed on the back she slips on some shoes and heads to the bathroom. She decides today just to leave her hair down with a single braid to pull back her bangs. She waits till Astrian leaves for school before heads downstairs after grabbing the necklace Macon gave her and her bag. She glances at the bracelet on her wrist as she opens the fridge. It was strangely still today. Taking one of her last bottles of juice she closes the fridge and  ponders possible reasons Volunis isnt attempting to use his magic. Perhaps he has given up. Tonight her servant should bring her a report of his actions and hopefully deterred him from attempting to cross the plane again. Deciding not waste anymore time she pulls out her phone and calls Macon's home where Nina and Drake stay. After a few rings and a few words Ever discovers they are helping Macon. She leaves a message for them to meet her at Jackson Square across from Macon's bar in an hour then leaves the house.  

The door quickly fades as she leaves the dark alley onto Bourbon Street.  Its normal crowd of tourists and locals fill the sidwalks.  She wonders to the corner of St. Peter and looks around. The club Bourbon Heat two buildings over is where Ares told her he would be at tonight. LUcky for her its Astrian's favorate dance club as well so she can make up for ditching him for the last two weeks by inviting him to come with her. Pulling out her phone she sends him a quick text letting him know of her plans then leads down St. Peters towards Jackson Square. After a 45 minute walk she finds herself on the opposite side of where the bar is and decides to cut through the large park. Not pressed for time she leaisurly makes her way enjoying the warm sunshine. Her mind clear of her recent worries until her phone vibrates in her pocket. With an annoyed sigh she looks at her as she quickens her pace.

"Fine. Meet you on the corner of Bourbon and Peters at 6..  -Astrian"

Putting the phone away she hurries through the park and into Macon's bar. Jarem sits in a corner watching the door as Avery cleans the tables. They smile as she passes through to Macon's office after letting them know her friends were coming. She knew Macon wasnt there making this the best place to explain to Nina and Drake. She sits in one of the chairs in from of his desk and waits occasionally looking at the dreadfully still bracelet. The absense of the constant vibrating unnerving her.  She spends the next ten minutes staring at the bracelet and doesnt notice the two wolves enter the room until the smallest jumps over the chair and into her lap.

"Whats that?", asks Nina as she pulls Ever's wrist close to her face. Unphased by their sudden appearence Ever pushes Nina from her lap and gives a slight wave making sure the door is locked and guarded from unwanted listeners.  "Its what I need to tell you about. And yes you look rather innocent as a child but I cannot take you seriously looking like a child Nina." Nina gives a pout and drops into the chair beside her as Drake sits before them on the desk. In less than a moment a tall beautiful brunette sits where the child did. Her long tanned legs crossed before her as her blue eyes watch Ever with little interest. Blue eyes she just recently recieved after joining Macon's pack along with Drake. "Now that I can take you seriously as an adult lets get to the point. This bracelet is a minuture copy of a much bigger chain that binds a god from escaping his imprisonment and destroying the gods and anything else he deems worth his time...." Succesfully getting their attention Ever spends the rest of the morning explaining to them about Volunis and why its so important to keep him imprisoned but carefully avoiding giving any details about pertaining to her role in it all. Hows pass as she answers questions and explains misunderstood details.

The sun slowly sinks from the sky as Ever and Nina head wonder across JAckson Square. They spent most of the day discussing Volunis and possible plans to deal with him. After hearing about Ever meeting Ares that night Nina forced Ever to invite her as well. After a long lunch then more planning Drake was pulled away to help Jarem and Nina wanted to go for walk."What should I wear?", she asks after realizing she still wore an adult size of the grey dress she was wearing asa little girl. Ever shrugs as she taps away at her phone. "Why am I even asking you. Ill meet you there. Cant go see Ares looking like this!" Nina gives Ever a quick hug them skips away. Alone Ever continues through the park until she reaches the fence where the vendors stand. She notices the girl selling her painted stone necklaces sitting on a bucket looking much healthier than before. Her face now round and happier than before. Glad to know her kindness wasnt wasted she continues on past and down the street to Bourbon.

The sky darkens  leaving only the street lamps to light the already busy sidewalks and streets. The one thing she disliked the most about New Orleans.. The crowds. Finally to the corner of Peters and Bourbon she leans agianst the wall to wait. She was 10 minutes early as she expected she would be. She scans the the crowd that  begins to fill the street just like every friday night in search of either Astrian or Nina. A sudden feeling of unease settling over her the longer she waits. Suddenly she remembers her dream and watches the crowd more carefully. Her senses open to any threat. JUst as in her dream Astrian walks up with Avery trailing behind. Anxiety washes over her as she searches for the cloaked man from her dream. Astrian says something to her but she ignores him to move closer to the mass of people crowding in the street. She moves further in but still no sign. PErhaps her dream was just a dream she thinks as he anxiety disapates. Just as she starts to head back Nina yells for her as she skips through the crowd wearing what Ever would consider a strip of red fabric big enough to just barely cover her. Shaking her head she turns to wave her over but stops as a dark familiar voice whispers behind her,  "The Black Sun as found his lost light."  Her body turns cold and her chest feels tight upon hearing the voice. She spins around as panic takes over to only find a group of giggling girls passing by. Her heart pounds as she stares at the place he had to have been. A feeling of terror and something she cant rationlize, excitement, keeps her frozen in place as Nina appears beside her looking concerned. "Hey whats up? You look like youve seen a ghost.. Well.. You know what I mean." Ever takes a deep breathe realizing she was holding it in and shakes her head. "Its nothing.. Lets go, Astrians waiting."

Ever spends the rest of the night is a daze as she waits for Ares to show up. The message left for her replaying in her head. Astrian and Nina seem to get along quite well as they laugh and flirt but she doesnt notice. Finally as 10 o'clock rolls around Ares shows up wearing faded jeans and a tight black shirt that grabs Ever's attention. She always had a mild attraction to the greek god as he did her and on a few occasions let him coax her into bed with him. She suddenly feels under dressed in just her blue jeans and black tee as he comes closer . To her right she notices Nina completely focused on Astrian and not Ares. A surprise considering she had a huge crush on him since he put her under his protection. Her thoughts of Volunis temporarily vanished as Ares strides torwards her, his eyes on her as he runs his hand through his short black hair. She feels her cheeks heat up and quickly regains her compusure. She doesnt have time for silly human emotions right now. Meeting him half way he cuts her off as she begins to speak,"We have plenty of time for seriousness later. Come dance with me." She scowls at him but lets him lead her upstairs and into the crowd dancing to the loud music and flashing lights. Before she can protest he pulls her glasses from her face and slips them into his pocket. Her pink eyes quickly adjust and he gives her a smile. A smile that makes her forget why she wanted to meet him here. With a sigh she lets him lead her onto the dance floor. Nina and Astrian pop up beside them laughing and dancing. Their faces already flushed from the alcohol. Deciding to give in to Ares, she lets a smile escape as Ares dances around her pulling her closer to him. The night quickly passes by as alcohol is consumed and just the mere presence of the god makes her forget about all her worries. For now.