The rest of the night passed without much excitement. They all knew that their best option was to patiently wait for some sign from beyond the veil that would guide them. Elena, Natalia, and Milo made a pact to keep their spirit guides on high alert for any unusual activity in the spiritual realm. However, Milo understood that there were multiple levels of spiritual existence, and the guides they had were the closest to the physical plane. They would only sense danger if it was about to manifest in the material plane.

Everyone said good night and Adriana and Diego left with Dona Elena and Colonel Santiago. Natalia went to the kitchen to finish cleaning up the dinner dishes. Jose and Milo cleared the tables and then dried the dishes as Natalia washed. After everything was tidied up Milo and Jose said good night to Natalia and headed up to Milo's room. Piyelito followed and as soon as they entered Milo's room he jumped up on the bed and made himself comfortable at the foot.

"ok hermanito, you are supposed to be sleeping in your own bed, over there in the corner. " Milo said smiling.

"Rrrrf." Piyelito said laying his head on his paws and thumping his tail once.

"Ahhh, let him stay Milo. We need a chaperone since we are going to be sharing a bed for the first time as a couple." Jose said smiling and waggling his eyebrows.

Milo laughed, "What am I going to do with you, querido." Milo said hugging Jose.

Jose took the moment to plant a kiss on Milo's lips. "I guess you are going to have to love me for the rest of my life!" Jose said smiling.

"No querido, I will love you for the rest of my life!" Milo said hugging Jose tightly.

Milo released Jose and went to his dresser, taking out a t shirt, pair of shorts and a clean towel. He gave them to Jose.

"You shower first querido, I want to do a little research." Milo said sitting down at his desk and opening his laptop. Jose planted a kiss on the top of Milo's head and headed down the hall to the bathroom. Piyelito jumped off the bed and followed him.

*****

Milo came back from his shower to find Jose laying on the right side of his bed with Piyelito curled up beside him. The 2 of them were fast asleep. Milo smiled to himself and got into the left side of the bed and turned off the light. He smiled to himself at Jose' comment of Piyelito being their chaperone.

He closed his eyes and sent up a prayer of thanksgiving for the boy who laid on the other side of his bed, he resolved to always stand by his side and to protect him no matter the cost. Sleep came quickly and Milo drifted off.

*****

Milo stumbled upon a desolate wasteland, the gnarled and twisted trees dotted the barren landscape. The hills were dark and shadowed, casting an eerie feeling over the entire area. Above them, a burning red sun beat down mercilessly, giving everything a sickly hue as if it were stained in blood. The air was thick with a sense of foreboding, as if something malevolent lurked just beyond sight. Milo could feel his heart racing as he took in this horrific scene before him.

"Milo, where are we?" Jose said. Milo looked over and realized that Jose too was here. Milo looked down at his hands and saw the telltale glow.

"Querido, we are in a dream." Milo said taking Jose' hand. As their hands touched Milo felt Jose' spiritual essence and realized Jose was truly sharing this dream with him, he was not a phantom of the dreamworld, they were truly here together. Suddenly they both heard a bark and saw a black shadow streaking towards them.

"Piyelito? " Jose said as the little dog ran up to him and took his position at his side.

"Milo, what do we do now? " Jose said looking a bit worried.

"Have no fear querido, nothing can hurt us here. But there must be a reason we have come so we need to let this play out. But I will call on a bit of help for us. Old Man please attend and bring Jose's Gypsies with you." Milo called out loudly, his voice echoing through the barren landscape.

"We are here Caballito" Juan De Dios and Jose's Campanita De Plata the gypsy prince appeared before Milo.

"Campanita! I am so happy to finally meet you, and your highness I am honored by your choosing me." Jose said quietly.

The prince smiled at Jose. "Jose, the blood of the Roma flows in your veins, how could we not be at your side to protect you? I am called Dacian, it is my true name and you may call it when you need me and I will come. Hold it close to your heart for it is a word of power and none may know it." The prince bowed and stepped back to stand by Campanita. She was next to speak.

"Milo calls me Campanita De Plata or Silver bell but today I gift you with my true name,  Aurora, call me by this and I will come. As Dacian said keep these names close to your heart, they are words of power and none may know them."

"You must keep these names secret querido as they say - they are your connection to your spirit guides. Have no fear, these names will never pass my lips, they are safe with me." Milo said looking into Jose' eyes. Jose nodded and took a deep breath.

"Ok mi amor. I will listen to you. But what do we do now, how do we wake up from this dream?"

"Well," Milo said thinking, "Lets do a bit of exploring and see what we find." Milo took Jose' hand and they started to walk. Juan de Dios and the 2 gypsies followed them as Piyelito walked by Jose' side. 

If you like what you read, don't forget to comment and vote!