The Book of Dreams (38 page)

down,

down into the sea,

where she faced the gargantuan shape of Taluliyuk.

The shaman was still combing the green hair of the goddess. One of Taluliyuk’s great eyelids opened. She stared at Dana.

Mirrored in the dark pupil, Dana saw herself trapped in the whirlwind. She was being dragged across the ice field, alone. Already her body looked frozen. Still standing by the tree, Brendan lifted his arms in prayer. But where was Jean?

Now Dana’s heart was gripped with greater terror as she spied Jean racing across the ice field. His eyes were golden. There was no question about it. He was about to turn. But the wintry sun shone pale and clear.

“NO!”
she cried out to him. “No, Jean, you mustn’t!”

She wanted to tell herself it was only a dream. But already she knew the truth. Dreams were never “only.” Brendan’s words echoed in her mind.
What happens to the soul, happens also to the body.
If Jean became a wolf now, he would be so forever.

“Please!” she begged Taluliyuk. “Please don’t let him do this! I’d rather die!”

Now something huge stalked across the ice field with fantastic speed: a stone giant tromping over the glacier. It bore down on the whirlwind in which Dana was trapped. Head, limbs, and torso were massive rocks. The feet crashed to the ground. With each step it took, the earth shuddered, the ice cracked.

With stony ferocity, the
innunguaq
attacked the whirlwind. Crowley’s screeches rang through Dana’s ears. Tearing at the innards of swirling snow, the stone giant seized Dana. Now it reached down to snatch Jean, who had yet to turn. In one great movement, the stone giant hurled them both away from the glacier, away from Baffin Island, out of the North.

• • •

With a blur of light and a violent jolt, Dana and Jean landed body and soul on the shore of Ailsa Craig. Nearby, where they had left it, was the flying canoe.

After the white frost of the Arctic, the riot of smell and color was a shock. The landscape dazzled with blues, greens, and grays. The air was vivid with the scent of seaweed and pine.

“Taluliyuk, she save us,” said Jean in a daze, looking around him.

His features were pale. He looked shaken.

Dana couldn’t meet his eyes. Only a short while ago, he had made the same decision his grandfather had made. He had chosen to turn wolf in the daylight in order to save her. It was too much to take in. She clutched a white feather in trembling hands.

“We didn’t get to thank her … or the
angakuk
… or Brendan …”

She was still stunned by Crowley’s attack. He seemed to be able to follow her anywhere, like a relentless hunter tracking his prey. So far she had been lucky. There was always someone there to help her. Deep inside, she shuddered to think that a time might come when no one would intervene. When she’d have to face him alone. Her fingers closed around the feather.

Jean was studying his watch the way one does after crossing many time zones. It took a while to make sense.

“Monday morning!” he said at last. “Strange how time go, eh? If we leave now, I don’t miss the turkey!”

She managed to laugh, though she was feeling dizzy and light-headed. Too much had happened. She could hardly think straight. There was something she needed to say to Jean, about his decision, but it was too big a thing to broach right now. She was too shy and awed by its significance. It was obvious that he himself wasn’t ready to speak of it. He kept looking away, avoiding her eyes.

“Let’s go home to Thanksgiving,” she agreed.

W
hen Dana got home later that day, she let herself in with her own key. She was thinking of what she would say if there were any questions and how she might avoid lying. The quest had changed her that way.

Her father and stepmother were in the kitchen. She could hear their voices.

“Who’ll tell her?” Gabe said.

Dana’s heart skipped. Her father sounded anxious. Had her deception been discovered? She hesitated at the door and considered eavesdropping further, then changed her mind. That was something else she would no longer do. Instead, she barged into the kitchen before they could say more.

They were having Thanksgiving dinner. The table was adorned with a lace cloth and candles. There was no turkey, of course, but there was a feast nonetheless.

They were delighted to see her, and she was engulfed in hugs.

“You are returned in time! How wonderful!” said Aradhana. “Will you eat?”

“I’m starving!” she said, happy that things seemed fine.

Gabriel dished her out a bowl of hot chestnut soup. The main course had already been served, but she soon caught up. After a pineapple boat of curried lentil and tomato salad, she started on the almond croquettes with cranberry sauce and potatoes au gratin.

“I’m glad I didn’t miss this!” she said, between mouthfuls.

When they questioned her about the weekend, she did her best not to lie. Apparently Ms. Woods had promised to bring her home without stating a specific time. Neither her father nor her stepmother had any suspicions about the “field trip.”

“I learned a lot about Canada,” she said. “Amazing things. But I’m really glad to be home. Really glad.”

The warmth of her tone was obvious. Gabriel and Aradhana exchanged happy glances.

“Shall we have a game of Monopoly after dessert?” Radhi suggested. “We have not played for so long.”

Gabe groaned. “You always wipe me out.”

“Of course I do,” said Radhi. “I am a businesswoman. You are an artist.”

“What’s for dessert?” Dana wanted to know.

“Spiced apples in chilled cider.”

“Yum.”

• • •

At school the next day, there was no sign of Jean. Alarmed, Dana tried to ring him between classes, with no success.

At lunch she tried again, but the line was busy. That was good news, she told herself, fighting down the waves of panic and worry. Sitting alone in the cafeteria, she wondered where he was. If something bad had happened to him, how could she find out? What could she do? She was haunted by the image of him about to turn wolf in the daylight to save her. Her heart beat rapidly at the thought. He had almost given up his human life for her! She felt awed and humbled by such a thing. And, though she fought against it, deep inside she was thrilled. What exactly did it mean?

Dana gazed dreamily into space. A shiver of joy ran through her.

Followed by a jolt of horror.

Her hands were shining with light!

Quickly she clamped down on the flow, then glanced around her in panic. No one was looking. What would she have done if someone had seen? She would have to be more careful!

Unnerved by what had happened, she hurried to finish her lunch. She wanted to try and call Jean again.

“Is it okay to sit here?”

Dana was about to point out there were empty tables nearby, but she didn’t get the chance. Without waiting for permission, the other girl sat down opposite her. Dana frowned. She knew her vaguely. Georgia Cheung was a top student, as well as the class beauty with her long black hair and almond eyes. Though generally admired and popular with her peers, she didn’t belong to any particular circle or group.

“Work away,” Dana mumbled.

Georgia had her food on a tray, a noodle dish she had heated in the microwave. The smell of spices wafted toward Dana, making her mouth water. She was glad that Aradhana had made her lunch that day, or she would have been jealous.

Georgia took out chopsticks and began to eat, eyeing Dana’s samosas.

“They look good,” she said.

“My stepmother’s specialty.” Dana nodded. “When my dad makes lunch, it’s peanut butter and jam. Sometimes I make lunch myself, but it’s nicer when someone else does.”

Georgia agreed heartily. “My great-granny always makes mine. She’s better than a restaurant.”

They munched together companionably for a while.

Then Georgia dropped her bombshell.

“I saw what happened with your hands.”

Dana choked on her food. Georgia leaned over to clap her on the back.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Dana spluttered.

“Sure you do. You can’t put me off. I know about magic.”

Georgia continued to eat, giving Dana some time to recover.

“Don’t worry,” Georgia said at last, “your secret’s safe with me.” Then she giggled. “Don’t you just love when you get to say clichés in the right place like that?”

Dana couldn’t help laughing.

“You’re Irish, right?” Georgia asked.

Dana nodded, glad that the subject had changed. “And you’re Japanese?”

Georgia made a noise like a buzzer. “Wrong. Chinese ancestry.”

Flustered, Dana began to apologize.

Georgia waved her hand breezily. “Don’t sweat it. I can’t tell the difference myself. I’m Canadian. My background’s a real mix. Mom’s Hungarian Irish. I told her about you. ‘The quiet girl.’ Dad’s Chinese Jamaican. I know more about the Chinese side of things, because my great-granny lives with us. So, where’s your boyfriend today?”

“My—?” Dana blushed furiously. “He’s not … I mean …”

It was Georgia’s turn to be apologetic. “Open mouth, insert foot! I’m always saying the wrong thing.”

“Me too!” Dana exclaimed.

They laughed together.

“I don’t know if he’s my boyfriend,” Dana confided. “I don’t know that much about boys or going out with them.”

“I could tell you a few things,” Georgia offered. “He’s really cute,” she added. “Definitely boyfriend material.”

“He is, isn’t he,” sighed Dana, and they laughed some more.

For the rest of lunch they talked about boys, school, the other kids, their classes, their teachers. Dana felt the happiness well up inside her. This was what she had missed for so long, a friend she could talk to and share things with. She appreciated that Georgia didn’t mention the light again. And what could she have meant by that comment about magic? Dana was curious to know, but at the same time she was cautious. Their friendship was promising, but too new to test.

When the bell rang, Dana made a decision.

“Would you like to swap phone numbers?” she asked shyly. “You don’t have to if—”

“Great idea. I was going to suggest it myself, but I thought you might think I’m pushy.” Georgia grinned. “I am, in case you hadn’t noticed.”

They met on and off for the rest of the day as they shared several classes. Dana still hadn’t reached Jean, but Georgia’s steady stream of chatter kept her distracted.

“What about that Crowley guy, eh? Definite child-molester type. He picked on you, didn’t he? I bet you’re not sorry he’s gone. Did you notice how we seem to lose teachers? Do you think they’re buried in the basement?”

At the end of the day, Dana was disappointed to discover they lived in opposite directions.

“Call me!” Georgia shouted as she ran for her bus.

Dana was still waving good-bye when she noticed the young woman on the far side of the street. Her heart leaped in her throat. She
had
seen her that time, in the crowd near the musicians. Honor, the High Queen of Faerie!

Overcome with joy, Dana raced across the road.

“Your Majesty! How did you—?”

“Oh no, Dana,” she said, “that name does not belong to me.”

Dana was already realizing her mistake. The difference was subtle, but evident all the same. This young woman did not look as happy or as lighthearted as Honor. She was, of course, the High Queen’s twin sister whom Dana had been told about before she left Ireland.

“I’m Laurel,” the other confirmed. “Honor’s sister. A mortal who lives in this world. Do you know where Gwen is? I’ve been trying to reach her. When I rang the school today, they were all strange about it and told me to contact the police. I know she was going east with you and—”

Laurel stopped when she saw the blank look on Dana’s face.

“Ms. Woods didn’t come with us,” Dana said. “We were going to talk to her about the trip, but she wasn’t at school.”

Laurel looked as if she might faint. “Oh, God.” Her voice shook. “When did you last see her?”

Dana thought back. She, too, was beginning to feel shaky. Something was very wrong.

“We left Friday. She wasn’t there the day before … because that was the day the vice-principal took over. We thought she might be back today, but she didn’t show up.”

“She’s been gone almost a week!” Laurel looked sick. She struggled for control.

“It’s my fault,” Dana said as the horror dawned. “She wanted to be friends, but I didn’t trust her.”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Laurel said sharply. “How could it be your fault? You’re only a child. You’re not responsible for what’s going on.” She put her hands to her head, trying to think. “I’ll have to contact the others and let them know what’s happened. It’s not your problem. We’ll deal with it, don’t worry. But right now, you and I need to talk. Are you on your way home?”

“Yes, I—”

“Fine, I’ll go with you. I live near Brunswick Avenue.”

“You know where I live?!”

“We’ve been watching you. Watching over you. Sorry, it was necessary. We’ve been trying to guard you, Gwen and I. That must have been …” Laurel bit her lip.