Night Visions Read online

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  Copyright ©2004 by Melissa Alvarez

  First published by New Age Dimensions, Inc. Crystal Prism Reflections of Love Imprint, Enamor Series June 2004

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  NOTICE: This work is copyrighted. It is licensed only for use by the original purchaser. Making copies of this work or distributing it to any unauthorized person by any means, including without limit email, floppy disk, file transfer, paper print out, or any other method constitutes a violation of International copyright law and subjects the violator to severe fines or imprisonment.

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  Ariana Dupré

  Night Visions

  Crystal Prism: Reflections of Love

  An Enamor Book

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  Published by New Age Dimensions, Inc.

  Publishing For The World's New Age

  A NOTICE TO THE READER

  By purchasing an eBook from New Age Dimensions, you are stating that you are fully aware that you will be sent the eBook or download link via email and that this purchase is NOT refundable. Legally, you can save one copy of the purchased eBook to floppy or CD for your own personal use. However, it is ILLEGAL to send your copy to someone who did not pay for it. You MAY NOT distribute the eBook that you paid for to other people by using email, floppy discs, zip files, burning them to CD, selling them on any type of auction/bidding website, making them available for free public viewing or download on ANY website, offering them to the general public offline in any way, or any other method currently known or yet to be invented. You MAY NOT print copies of your downloaded book and distribute those copies to other persons. Doing any of these things is a violation of international copyright law and would subject you to possible fines or imprisonment. It also deprives authors of their fair royalties. Violators will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

  CRYSTAL PRISM REFLECTIONS OF LOVE—An Enamor Book

  An Imprint and line of NEW AGE DIMENSIONS, INC.

  P.O. Box 772097

  Coral Springs, FL 33077

  Copyright © 2004 by Ariana Dupré

  Cover Design by Melissa Alvarez

  Published by arrangement with the author.

  ISBN 1-59611-007-4

  www.NewAgeDimensionsPublishing.com

  All Rights Reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information or retrieval system, is forbidden without the prior written permission of both the publisher and copyright owner of this book. For information address New Age Dimensions.

  All characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author and have no relation whatsoever to anyone, living or dead, bearing the same name or names. They are not even distantly inspired by any individual, known or unknown to the author, and all incidents are pure invention from the author's imagination. All Names, characters, places and incidents are products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  To my wonderful husband, Jorge, and my sons, Jordan, Jason and Justin.

  Without your love and patience this book would not have been possible.

  To my family—you always support me.

  To Sheila, Mimi, and Mags for your belief in Night Visions!

  To dreams that really do come true.

  THE VISIONS TRILOGY

  Night Visions

  Enchanted Visions

  Celestial Visions

  Two hundred years ago, Mary Slayton witnessed the murder of her husband, Theodore. Pregnant and overcome with grief, Mary revenged Theodore's murder with a curse cast by the local gypsy witch. With her emotions in turmoil, Mary extends the curse to include everyone who ever hurt Theodore during his lifetime. Now, the souls of several families are bound to the Earth for the next 200 years and their descendants are denied true love. There are three in the future, gifted by the gypsy witch with special paranormal abilities, who can break the curse. But if the three fail to find true love and unite as one family, the doomed souls will walk the Earth for eternity.

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  Prologue

  Slayton Homestead

  Southern Central Virginia

  August—early 1800's

  The blistering heat of the midday sun was no match for the fire burning within Theodore Slayton. Thunderheads rose in the crystal blue sky, a sure sign of turbulent storms to come. But not even a driving rain could cool his angry suspicions.

  Small puffs of dust rose around the hooves of the dappled gray stallion fidgeting beneath him. Theodore clasped his legs against the horse's body to still the animal as he studied his overseer's house.

  He adjusted his wide-brimmed hat and squinted into the sunlight. This two-story home would be his undoing, he was sure of it.

  Theodore inhaled the still air, so thick and hot it felt like deadweight inside him, adding to the heaviness already in his heart.

  Glancing down the dirt road, he saw Mary, his wife of three months, running toward him. In frustration he gripped the reins tighter. Why hadn't she listened? He'd told her to stay at the main house while he confronted Clyde. If the rumors he'd heard were true, she was putting herself and their unborn child in danger by coming here.

  Her wild impulsive streak would get her into trouble one day. She could be a spitfire, that Mary! She'd always said, "You'll be mine Theodore. One day I'll make you love me as I love you. You'll see."

  And now she had his heart. No doubt she thought she could protect him. Good God, the woman had such daring, such boldness! She was a handmaiden, beneath his status in the eyes of the community, but she had the spirit of a queen. And the love she felt for him, the loyalty and devotion—small wonder he felt like a king among men.

  A moan escaped through the open window on the second floor, disrupting Theodore's thoughts. His body went rigid and he pressed his lips together. He'd heard that sound before—a woman in the throes of passion. He glared at the window, his jaw clenched.

  He'd talk with Mary later. Right now, there were more urgent matters.

  The growl vibrating in his chest threatened to become a full-blown scream of fury, but he pushed his anger down, struggled to remain silent. I need proof. But, oh, there would be hell to pay if he found his younger sister Ruby inside with Clyde.

  He glanced down the road at his beloved. He must surprise them before Mary arrived.

  Theodore dismounted so quickly his horse shied. He didn't bother to tether the animal as he slipped into the house and began to climb cautiously up the wooden stairs.

  When he reached the bedroom door, he stopped. He knew in his heart what he would find. Was he ready to face it?

  He gathered his courage, twisted the knob and stared through the partially opened door.

  What he saw enraged him.

  No woman, ever, was going to tarnish the Slayton name again. His grandmother, in her youth, had done that job quite well enough, taking every man she fancied to her bed. It took years for the Slayton name to gain respect again, after the damage she had inflicted. Theodore would not allow his sister to repeat his grandmother's mistakes.

  "I love you, Clyde."

  His sister's throaty words exploded inside Theodore's head. He slammed the door back against the wall. His voice boomed, deep and ominous, belying his small stature. “You love him, little sister?"

  Ruby's eyes widened in shock. “Theodore!” she gasped, pulling up the cotton blanket to cover her nakedness.

  Clyde leaped o
ut of bed, faced Theodore's rage silently. His eyes, narrowed with contempt, the only indication of his feelings.

  "You only love him as grandmother loved her men!” Theodore's voice pulsed with fury. “Get away from my sister, Clyde, and leave my property at once!"

  "No, Theodore.” Clyde's voice was eerily calm. His steady gaze locked with Theodore's even as he grabbed his pants, jerked them on and fastened the buttons. “Ruby and I belong together. You can't make me leave."

  "I'm the owner of this estate,” the other man snarled, advancing towards Clyde. “You work for me. Now get out."

  An insolent smile curved Clyde's lips. He took a step closer to Theodore, stopping the other man in his tracks. “You sold this house to me. I'll quit, but I'll never leave my home."

  Theodore charged, fists swinging. “Then I'll make you pay for spoiling my sister's reputation and our family name."

  Clyde stepped out of the way to miss the blow. “You'll make me pay?” He laughed derisively, “You're half my size. And, for God's sake, man, you've got it wrong—"

  Theodore swung again. Clyde pushed him angrily away.

  The smaller man crashed against the edge of a table, scattering its contents, before hitting the wall with a loud thump. Immediately, he doubled over, and fell to the floor. His voice, when it came again, was low, “Curse you both!” Then his eyes closed and he became eerily silent.

  "Oh, no,” Ruby whispered, turning wide-eyed to her lover. “Clyde! You've killed him!"

  "I didn't push him hard enough to kill him, Ruby,” Clyde responded, struggling to keep the worry out of his voice. He looked at Ruby; the shock in her pale face was unbearable, so he turned his gaze back to her brother. “He's out cold, that's all.” Pulling on his shirt, Clyde kept an eye on Theodore. He can't be dead.

  "I'm not a murderer, Ruby,” he said, his tone anxious. He walked over to where Theodore lay in a crumpled heap. “Get up,” he ordered, pushing the smaller man's shoulder with his foot.

  Theodore's limp arm thudded against the wooden floor. Mumbling, he shifted slightly.

  Oh, God. Clyde squatted down. “What did you say?” His brow furrowed at the sight of Theodore's pale skin, the slow trickle of blood that oozed from the corner of his mouth.

  Then Theodore turned his head and stared up at him with a look of pure hatred, but Clyde saw the life ebbing from his glazed eyes.

  No! Not this ... Panic filled him. Please. Don't die.

  With great effort, Theodore spoke louder. “I'll haunt you—I swear you will pay...” He grimaced in pain as death claimed him.

  Clyde stared at the smaller man's chest, waiting for the steady rise and fall that never came. Finally, he pressed his fingers against Theodore's neck. He looked at Ruby. “There's no heartbeat,” he said in a choked voice.

  "Are you sure?” Ruby shuddered as she got out of bed and quickly stepped into her dress.

  Clyde frantically searched for any sign of life in Theodore. Picking up the man's wrist, he pressed his fingers to the pulse point. But there was nothing. He hung his head. “He's dead, Ruby."

  He stood to shove his feet inside his boots, was silent for a long moment, as his mind raced. “We've got to think this through, Ruby,” he said at last. “I could say I found him in the woods, thrown from his horse—an accident.” He turned towards her. “When I tell you about it, later, when other people are there, you'll have to act surprised and upset. Do you understand?"

  "Yes, I understand,” she replied, her voice hollow, tears streaming down her face. Aimlessly she searched for the sleeves of her dress while staring at her brother's body. “He died thinking that I'm like Grammie. I wish we had told him that we got married."

  Clyde heard the helplessness in her voice, saw the pain in her eyes and rushed to her side. He ran his hands down her arms to steady them before he twisted the fabric that hung around her waist to reverse it.

  Trancelike, Ruby allowed him to dress her, then stepped into her shoes. She stood in silence as Clyde's trembling fingers fumbled with the small buttons on the back of her dress.

  "We'll only keep our marriage secret a little longer, Ruby, until this blows over. You know we didn't tell Theodore because he'd never approve of you marrying me, his employee, even though he did the same. He wanted you to marry into money."

  When the last button was in place, he slipped his arms around her waist, pressed his face into the long brown locks that cascaded over her shoulders, and held her tight. “Are you all right?"

  "No, Clyde, I'm not.” Her voice was flat, empty of emotion. “How can I be all right, when my only brother's dead?"

  Clyde held her close. “I'm sorry, Ruby. I'm so very sorry. I never meant—"

  How could I have killed anyone, especially my wife's brother? He took a step away from her. “Go wait for me outside. Please."

  Without looking back, Ruby left the room.

  Sighing deeply, Clyde lifted Theodore's lifeless body over his shoulder, and followed her. Outside, he laid the corpse over the dappled gray stallion. His wife was already halfway down the dirt road that led back to the main house, so he led the heavily laden horse into the forest alone.

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  When the hoof beats faded, Mary moved from behind the hallway curtains. She had darted behind the thick green fabric just before Ruby entered the hall. She and Clyde must never know that I witnessed Theodore's murder. If Clyde could kill Theodore so easily, surely he'd do the same to my unborn child and me. Her face stained with silent tears, Mary caressed her abdomen, the last link to her husband.

  "Theodore,” she whispered in anguish, then stepped into the bedroom where, just moments before, her one true love had met his end.

  Water from a white washbasin dripped down the side of the small table and splattered against the matching pitcher overturned on the floor. The bed was disheveled, the sheets a rumpled mess.

  If only I'd arrived a few moments earlier, Mary thought miserably, I could have done something, anything, to save him.

  "My love, my life,” she choked between agonized sobs. She knelt on the floor where Theodore had fallen, murdered in cold blood. Her stomach twisted and curled, threatening to release itself. “Oh God. Why?” Her body shook with the strength of her sorrow. “You'll never even know our child, Theodore,” she whispered through her tears.

  How could this have happened? Mary had never known her own father, and now that joy had been taken from her baby in a manner so horrible she almost couldn't bear it.

  Too exhausted to cry any longer, she dropped her head into her hands. What would happen now? Ruby and Clyde were each in their own way cruel, despite what Theodore thought of his younger sister. Separately, they had already hurt her family in ways she could not forgive. And now this! Who knew what other terrible things they would do now that they were married.

  "I'll make them pay,” she said to the empty room, her voice forceful and distinct. She raised her head high, and wiped her tear-stained cheeks with her fingertips. I swear ... you will pay ... Theodore's dying words echoed in her mind.

  Only one person could help her now.

  She stood, walked out of the house, and headed for the woods.

  The lush greenery of the forest streamed by as she ran. The squirrels twitched their tails and scuttled out of her way. She barely noticed the woody scent of pine or the fragrance of wildflowers in her hurry to reach the cave.

  She had approached this clandestine place once before, but fear made her run for home. She knew the rumors that were whispered everywhere. The gypsy witch would grant you favors, but the price was very high—part of your soul was demanded in return.

  Mary paused to catch her breath beside the stream that flowed alongside the cave. In her grief and desperation, she was sure its gurgling song whispered her name.

  "Come inside, Mary.” A low voice vibrated from the inky blackness.

  Mary stiffened in alarm. Thieves were known to hide in the woods. “Who are you?” She stepped back, surprised that her v
oice sounded strong and clear.

  "The one you seek. No thief am I."

  A wave of uneasiness washed over her. How had the voice known what was going through her mind? She hesitated, thought of Theodore, and knew that this time she had to go inside. She willed her feet forward and cautiously entered the dank, dark cave.

  Cool air caressed her sweaty skin. The cave's musky scent sent a rippling shiver and then a shudder through her. As her vision adjusted to the darkness, she focused on the glimmers of candlelight flickering along the rocky crevices in the walls. A stone table grew upwards from the earth. On top were four unlit candles set apart in an imaginary square. Inside the square were a white candle, a large empty bowl and several small bowls containing what looked like salt and herbs.

  Mary stared at the table. Fear struck a chord inside her. She'd made a mistake in coming here. Suddenly, a scratchy hardness bumped against the back of her knees and she whirled around. She saw no one, but a hand-hewn wooden chair sat on the ground behind her.

  "I've been waiting for you.” The disembodied voice filled the cavern. “Please rest. Running is dangerous for the child you carry."

  Mary searched the shadowy depths. Where was the owner of this smooth, measured voice that surrounded her? It was as if the cave itself spoke her innermost thoughts.

  "How did you...?” With a slight waver, she sat on the edge of the chair. “Are you the gypsy witch I seek?"

  "Yes, I am the one, Mary. I already know your secrets. I know you want to make the lovers pay for killing the father of your child."

  Mary's mouth dropped open, her pulse quickened, and her gaze darted nervously about. Glancing back at the table, she noticed a double-edged knife lying beside the bowls. Had it been there a moment ago? At the sight of it, she fought against the desperate feeling to flee this evil place.

  No, no! Ruby and Clyde must pay. She grasped the edges of the chair with both hands in anger and called out, “Show yourself!"

  "Say what it is you ask of me."