Waking Sebastian by Melinda Barron Page A

If anything, the dream proved to her that the event taking place later would work, and she and Sebastian would be together, forever.
    * * * *
    The two women standing with Marta in the cove were not what Michelle expected. Marta was so small, barely over five feet. These women were tall, close to six foot. Their skin was a dark chocolate color, much darker than Marta’s. Michelle wondered if Marta had meant they were sisters by blood, or by the fact they were all powerful. Then she decided it didn’t matter. Lots of people were close that weren’t family, just look at her and Kate.
    She’d thought about calling her friend this afternoon, then decided to wait until it was all over. Somehow she didn’t think Kate knew about Sebastian. Her friend would have told her about him before she left.
    “This is Sierra, and Meloa.” Marta’s voice was soft. “They will help guide Sebastian’s spirit back into his body.”
    “I’m nervous,” Michelle said. “So is he, I could feel it tonight while we were making love.”
    “What?” Sierra took a step toward her. “You made love with him tonight?”
    “Yes, he came to me in my dream.” Michelle winked. “Thanks to Marta.”
    “Not tonight,” Marta said. “The spell was only for sunrise yesterday.”
    “Then you are strong, sister,’ Sierra said. “That means we may succeed where our ancestors have failed. Especially since we have Sebastian’s true love here.”
    Warmth seeped into Michelle with her words. It was true, she knew, but hearing it from another person made her feel wonderful. Still, her nerves were on edge with what was about to happen.
    “What do I have to do?”
    “Just kiss him,” Marta said. “We’ll do the rest.”
    “Let’s do it, then.”
    They took off toward the ocean, veering off into the trees, following the coastline. Michelle sought to gauge the distance, trying not to pat herself on the back about being right about his home being near the cove where he appeared each morning. In front of her, the three ladies talked softly, their heads together.
    She wondered what sort of ceremony they had planned, and if she would get a glimpse into the voodoo religion, or if she would be too busy kissing Sebastian to notice what they were doing.
    Marta veered inland after a few minutes, then stopped in front of a bush. She waved her hand and the bush disappeared. Michelle stared at it in wonder as the ladies hurried inside, and she followed them.
    The entrance was narrow and just tall enough for her to walk upright. In front of her, she saw the two taller ladies bending over. When they stood and moved aside, soft light flooded the shaft. She moved into a round room and her breath caught.
    Sebastian lay in the center of the room on top of an altar. Sitting next to him was a wooden carving, which featured a likeness of his face, and a lock of long, blond hair. His chest didn’t seem to be moving and she hurried forward, only to have Marta grab her arm.
    “Not yet. We have to time it just right.”
    Michelle took a fortifying breath. “What do I do?”
    “Sebastian’s soul leaves the bochio an hour before sunrise, and comes back just afterward. We want to catch it as it’s coming back.”
    “But he’ll look for me there. He’ll think I’ve deserted him.” She started for the door but Marta stopped her again.
    “No, he knows you’re here. The two of you are linked. We will start our part at the right moment, and when we tell you, you will kiss him.”
    A small nod was all she could manage for a response. Her heart pounded in her chest, the feeling almost painful. What if this didn’t work? What if Tarsa’s spell was too strong, even after all these years?
    Michelle couldn’t stand the idea of Sebastian being trapped inside this cave for eternity. She crossed to him slowly, putting her hand on his arm. His skin was warm, and when she looked at his chest, she could see the faint rise and fall, indicating that his heart was indeed,