A/N:  Thanks for all the kind messages last week.  I have the loveliest readers!  Writing has been a welcome distraction this week and so I have two chapters!  Thanks for reading.  Take care, Chrissy xx

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It went beyond my wildest thoughts that the Dream-realm was something beyond conscious thought. But here stood with Sylar and Elder Ester it was surreal.

Ester gripped my wrists, chanting a spell, freeing me from the sadistic binds that Ember had enchanted with dark magic. 

"How?" I held up both wrists, twisting them to see the markings fade. "I don't understand."

"Young Willa, magic is simply energy and energy is universal... transferable.  And although it is true that we bound your magic when you were barely a few hours old." She paused.  "But that is the key here, bound, never taken... veiled if you wish."

"What, so I have it back now?" I didn't feel any different, looking at my hands, expecting some kind of magic sparks to erupt.

She shook her head, suppressing her humor.  "No, young one.   Let's say the mask slipped whilst I took what was required."

Would have been nice if someone could have told me sooner.  "Does this mean Ember cannot hold me hostage?" A slither of excitement danced through my tummy.  "I'm free to escape?"

Her eyes widened before dropping to emit sadness.  "There are few times I have failed in this world—your sister being one of them."

I wondered if she knew of the Elder's death that had been charged with Ember's care?

She read my thoughts. "We should not worry about the tides we cannot turn."  Here she went with another cryptic one liner. No wonder she frustrated my father and now Cassius. "I will guide your brother and mate to you.  But you must go now. The longer we delay, the higher the prospect she will come to learn of this."

My gaze fell on Sylar.  This was the first time we had stayed in the dream-realm for more than a few moments and the attraction between us was like a tangible silver thread drawing us together. 

Every moment we'd shared inside this realm there was a connection that went beyond anything I could have imagined... a body, soul and mind bond in equal measures that overwhelmed me in the most beautiful of ways.

I sucked in a breath; his mesmerizing blue eyes were intoxicating and brought a delicious warmth to the ache in between my thighs.  It was not unusual for my body to respond to his, and I ached for his touch, to feel his skin on mine.  And I hoped it wouldn't be much longer until this dream would become a reality.

My lips lifted into a slow smile, as did his, and a heat coiled in my chest and a provocative desire thrummed through me.  

My mate certainly qualified as handsome. His sharp nose and full lips were masculine, yet beautiful.  His dark hair flopped messily and the urge to run my hands through it forced me to brace myself. The gods had certainly blessed me.

His attention diverted to my lips before he pulled me towards him and crushed me to his chest, his breath warm against my ear.  "I'm coming for you."

"It's time young Sylar," repeated Ester.

Reluctantly, he pulled away as I felt their energies retreat. It was time for me to return, but this time I went back with hope. 

Opening my eyes, I felt a tickle along my foot.  Sitting up on my makeshift bed, I smiled as a mouse appeared, stopping to weigh up if I was a threat or not.  "You need not fear me little one."  It went on its merry way.    Sitting up, I scanned the dingy room for Ember.

Where was my sister?  She was here when I'd fallen asleep.

I looked at my wrists.  The magical binds had all but burnt away, leaving only a mild redness which would fade over time. 

It was now or never.  I had to take this opportunity to escape before she returned.

Standing, I hesitantly took a step forward, waiting for the pain to hit.  Taking another step, I was now outside of the circle drawn around me.  I stilled, blood rushing through my ears - zilch happened.  It seemed the wrist bindings were indeed the magic holding me to this place.

Yeesss! 

I could feel the erratic hammer of my heartbeat as I made a dash for the door and flung it open.  Looking left and right.  Nothing, no Ember.

Stepping outside, I turned to view the dilapidated cottage. 

Ewe, creepy. 

Orion had forced me to watch a human horror movie when I was younger, and this could have been the same place that those poor people were murdered in!

Turning away, I shivered against the cool wind as my hair whipped in front of my eyes.  I hooked some loose strands behind my ears, not that I could see much. The night was dark, and towering trees surrounded me with only a few slivers of moonlight strong enough to peek through. 

Not knowing which direction to head.  Any seem just as good as the next.  It was times like this I wished I could shift into a wolf.  It was still unknown why I couldn't.  I felt her presence inside me, but she was dormant, as was my magic. 

I looked down to clench my toes.  Shoes would also have been a good idea, but at least I had socks on, although they wouldn't protect me from the cold as the chilled wind beat against my cheeks.

Travelling as fast as my icy feet could carry me, I came through a clearing to see the water's edge.  The clouds had thickened across the sky as a rumble of thunder sounded in the distance.  I glanced around, recognizing the mountainous ridges of Kings Peak, home to my pack.  A slow smile lifted my lips.

Was I really this close to home? 

My smile quickly faded as another blast of wind cut through my clothes.  Fighting the chill, I stumbled over twigs and rocks as my heart continued to drum.  That's when I spotted a canoe, conveniently just sitting at the water's edge.  I scrambled toward it. 

Fantastic!  A paddle was inside.

I stopped clenching my fists.  Water... I hated the water, scared as a child when Orion had been caught in a crosscurrent and nearly drowned if not for our father saving him.

Now was not the time to let my fears rule me.  This was my challenge, my demon to slay.  

But in hindsight, I should have put more thought into why a canoe was just casually sitting around on the deserted shoreline.

There wasn't time to waste. I could paddle upstream. Pulling it to the water, I pushed off and climbed inside. 

Only a few meters of paddling my arms ached, but then something familiar warmed me—Cassius.  I could sense him nearby.  'Cassius?'

I tried again.

'Willa.'  I could hear the relief in his voice.  'We are heading to you, sister.'

'Go towards the water.  I'm in a canoe heading up peaks tide.'

Feeling invigorated, I paddled harder, although with the wind strengthening, the water became choppier.  A flash of lightning lit up to the north.  There was no turning back as I looked toward shore.  I saw a black figure watching me.  It was her.  Ember.

Holy Goddess!  I almost tipped the canoe, losing my balance. I looked back, and she was gone. 

Had I imagined her?

Deep breath in... deep breath out.   My fear of the water amplified.

OhmyGoddess! OhmyGoddess!    Why had I thought this was a good idea?

Fatigue ripped through my muscles as the water current worsened.  The canoe rocked again as sloshes of water came up and inside the canoe and I was fighting a current that seemed intent on harming me.

I yelped as some unnatural force ripped the paddle from and I grabbed the sides to only tip and my worst fears came true as I grabbed a breath and pitched headfirst into stirring waters.

Bubbles of air escaped my lips as lightning flashed behind my closed eyes. 

Stay calm, stay calm.  I didn't know how far away Cassius was.  It was up to me to save myself. 

A little magic would be good right about now!

Forcing my eyes open, I freed myself from the canoe.  About to break the water surface.  The black figure I'd seen on the shore was here - right in front of me, her hair floating through the water like tentacles.

The air was punched from my lungs as I panicked, kicking my legs out in a desperate attempt to get away from her.

She grinned like the evil witch she was, moving toward me with ease as if the water were under her spell, carrying her like the wind would carry a leaf.  Her hand reached out and grabbed my wrist.  In her other hand, she held a blade.

I heard her voice.

'Don't struggle, sister.  But please be afraid... I need your fear,'  she said.

I didn't have a clue what she meant. My Fear?

Struggling on the little air I had, my heart beat wildly. 

Pain ran up my arm as the edge of her blade cut through the skin. Blood red and vibrant filled my vision.  Was she going to kill me?

Edging ever closer, she yanked my arm toward her mouth and licked the open wound.  My vision blurred as I blinked against the pressure of the water.

And then she was gone.  And so was the last of my remaining bit of air.

I didn't have time to react as I pushed up and grasped for air.  Arms out to the side, I tried to tread the choppy waters, gauging how far I was away from the shoreline. 

The canoe had long since gone, which left me no option but to try to swim through these icy waters.  Muscles burning, I scanned the shore for any sign of my brother... or Sylar, but I was losing my battle against the churning water as it pushed me under.  I tried to push forward a few strokes and head in the shore's direction before pushing up to steal another breath.

I was now beyond cold and weary.  Exhaustion was my enemy now.

'Cassius...' I reached out.

'Hold on Willa!'  he urged, sensing my distress.

An awareness hit me hard in the chest. 

How stupid was I?  Curses flooded my brain.

I couldn't lead him to me.  'Stay away Cassius... she's here.'  How could I have thought any of this was my doing—escaping?  It had been a trap.

As if the water could sense my tiredness, another swell sent me under, and the blackness took me.