Zane and Zoe bolted awake. They both touched their faces, unsure in their just-wakened state of what was real and what was dream. Nothing. They were sweating like crazy. And so hot. The cold may not bother them, but heat certainly did. Zane got up and went over to Zoe who was already getting out of her bed.
“What’s wrong with us, Zane? I feel like I’m going crazy! Maybe I should’ve listened to Kento. He told me to talk to Mia about the dreams. I’m beginning to think they’re not normal.”
“We’ll talk to her once we get back home. I’m sure you’re right. These aren’t ordinary dreams. There’s something here—here in Norway. Some angry force. I don’t want to stay until the end of the week like we planned.”
“I’m with you. Let’s leave after we take a look at Uncle Ulmer’s house.” Zoe looked at the clock. “It’s kind of early, but I don’t want to go back to sleep. Maybe we could just go downstairs and sit for awhile until breakfast.”
“Good idea.”
The two of them went down to find a fire in the fireplace and a tray of scones and muffins set out. The cook was already in the kitchen, the housekeeper was about, and Neita was working at her desk.
Zoe laughed. “Well, I guess it’s not that early after all. We’re just used to sleeping in.”
“Good morning, children! I’m afraid we don’t have breakfast quite ready, but the muffins are out. Nice and hot. Had one or two myself—just to taste them for the guests mind you.”
“Of course.”
“What brings you down so early?”
“We just couldn’t sleep.”
“I shouldn’t wonder! That storm was terrible, yes? I thought it was going to rip the shutters off the building. Haven’t seen a bad one like that in a long time. Strange thing, though. It came as quickly as it went. It stopped just a bit before you came down in fact.”
Zane and Zoe just stared at each other. “Zane!
I didn’t hear any storm during the night!”
“Neither did I.
We should have, but we were fast asleep…”
“…and trapped in that dream. We have to be more careful, Zane. We’re in danger.”
“From now on let’s take turns sleeping. That way, if one of us starts dreaming the
other will be able to wake him or her up.”
“Good idea.”
“…and the blueberry ones are pretty good, too. Are you ok? You seem lost in thought.”
“We’re fine, Aunt Neita. Just tired.” Zane picked up one of the muffins and took a bite.
Zoe turned to Neita. “We appreciate how nice you’ve been to us, but we’ve decided to cut our trip short. We’ll be leaving tonight or tomorrow morning—whenever the soonest flight is.”
Neita blushed. “Dag has left that bad an impression on you, yes? I am sorry you did not get to see it in the springtime when the sky is blue, the flowers abundant, and the people more full of warmth after the harsh winter.”
“We’re sorry, too. But there’s just nothing here for us. Maybe a long time ago there might have been. But Japan is our home now. We have friends there who are closer to us than our family has been.”
“Poor Astrid would be glad that you have such wonderful friends, but I think she would cry to hear that you have had so little of family. I wish Mark had not been so…He loved Astrid too much to bear losing her. His own childhood had been very cold—she was the first person, I think, to ever give him any kindness. Without her, perhaps he did not know how to be a father or even a feeling human being. This does not excuse him, but perhaps you will understand better, yes?”
Zane said nothing. Zoe nodded. “Thank you anyway for answering our questions. Do you think…could we write to you? Maybe you could tell us more about our mom.”
“I would be delighted! I don’t get many letters except from my daughter in Oslo. I would like to hear about your life in Japan.”
Zoe hugged her. Then the cook came to tell them that breakfast was ready. They all ate and talked and had a pleasant time, but Zane and Zoe still felt uneasy. After breakfast the two of them left the hotel to go take a look at Uncle Ulmer’s house.
“Do you get the feeling we’re being watched?”
“Yes, but I can’t see anyone.”
“Me, either. But
keeps your eyes open.”
Zoe looked at the city map. “I guess Uncle Ulmer really loved to be by the water. His house here is by the sea and his cabin in Japan is by the lake. It’s a wonder he didn’t become a fisherman instead of a corporate lawyer like father.”
Zane laughed. “And be poor? Could you see Uncle living the simple life? He liked luxury too much. Even his ‘cabin’ in Japan is very modern.”
“I wonder why he kept the house here in Norway if he was afraid of something here.”
“Well Mr. Raynor did say it was on the market for years. No one wanted it. I’m not surprised. If the townspeople didn’t like mom, I bet they were wary of him, too. Would you want to live in the house of a person everyone thought was a witch or something?”
Zoe spun around nervously. Nothing there. For a moment she’d felt…
“I know. I felt it, too. Anger, hatred, and something familiar. But I can’t place it.” They kept walking, nerves on edge. The waves pounded the beach as they got closer. They could see a large house up on the hill. Mansion more like. It must be the one. There was a cobblestone path that meandered up the hill—a kind of nature walk overlooking the water. They decided to take it since it looked like it winded up to the house. The path passed a small area with trees, park benches, and picnic tables. Zane thought it would be a nice place to relax in the summer if what Neita said about Dag were true. Now it was just deserted and covered with snow and ice. But wait! It wasn’t deserted! There was a bent old woman standing next to one of the trees. She pointed a crooked finger at the sea.
“Do not stay near
the restless sea
weakest there
the barrier be
You have returned
they now see
the one, the two
the almost three
Beware!”
Zane and Zoe ran towards the woman, determined to get answers. The old crone stepped behind the tree and disappeared. Zoe kicked up a swirl of snow while Zane smacked a frustrated hand against the tree. He couldn’t believe that old lady moved so fast. “Someone’s playing mind games with us and I am getting so sick of this.”
“Maybe they’re trying to keep us away from the house. Could there be something important there that someone wants?”
I don’t know, but we’re going to take a look at that house and then we’re leaving. Whoever they are can have the old place.” He started shouting. “Do you hear me? We don’t want the house! As soon as we leave, you can have buy the whole thing cheap and burn it to the ground if you want! WE DON’T CARE!”
A gust of arctic wind whipped around them as if in response. Two dark shapes flew at them. Zane and Zoe ducked. The two creatures landed on one of the picnic table. Ravens. Gigantic, midnight-black ravens with glowing red eyes. Zane and Zoe felt as if a hand reached out from the past and squeezed their hearts. They recognized these birds, even though they’d never seen them before in their lives.
Zoe gasped. “Munnin (Memory).”
Zane’s voice was a harsh whisper. “Huginn (Thought).”