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I nodded, the power emanating from my hand and into Xavier’s head, sending light into his darkness, guiding him out. “Kryella told me of the nightmares he’d had since that incident. I knew where the dream eaters had taken him.”
Cameron’s hands hovered over his fallen friend. “You saved him before. Do it again.”
His tone caught my attention. There was a strange flicker of emotion buried in his voice. Not just worry, but something deeper. It was a topic no one addressed because Cameron was nowhere near admitting his true feelings. So I dismissed it for now and propped Xavier up.
I called the power back into my hand and lifted him to his feet. His breath came in loud gasps, and his body trembled. “Hey, you’re fine. Xavier, you’re here.” I patted him on his shoulder as his eyes adjusted to the room and reality.
“I saw.” He panted.
“I know, but you’re not there.”
“No,” his voice cracked, a shine filling his eyes, “I saw her.”
Before I could address the tear in his voice, Vincent and Logan ran in, skidding to a halt beside us.
“What happened?”
“Baku, a subspecies race of the Deskin. They form nightmares and feed off the pain.”
Xavier pulled away and straightened his knees, letting me know he could stand on his own. Cameron came to his other side, and he waved him away too, but I didn’t miss the look of pain on Xavier’s face. Vincent came further inside, Logan at his heels. I turned to the empty cell behind me, looking at the tangled pile of chains on the floor. There were no burn marks on the wall or them.
“She got out.”
“Not just that,” I sighed and put my hands on my hips, this truth far worse, “Roccurem let the dream eaters in.”
Thirty-Seven
Samkiel. Three Weeks Later.
Small flakes fell from the sky, slowly coating the world with thick white powder. I stared out at the open expanse from a large palace in Arariel. The city was aglow as the sun slowly crept past the buildings, yielding to the night. It was all part of the celebration—the lights, the songs, the decorations. It was a time of joy and happiness for them, and they loved to show it. Apparently, they celebrated this cursed event.
People emerged from their homes, excited to see the array of festive lights decorating Arariel. Little shops opened their doors, and holiday music floated on the air. They would do this every night for the next five weeks leading up to The Fall. The sound of laughter snuck through the glass, taunting us with happiness. The mortals were bursting with life, unaware of the dangers threatening them.
I had sent Cameron and Xavier off to do anything else. They had grown tired of the constant research, and their discontent wore on my nerves. I watched three blue lights streak through the clouds like comets. Imogen must have joined them.
Logan appeared at my side and handed me a mask. “It’s for the ball.”
My stomach rolled as I traced the intricacy of the lacy black material. It reminded me of the clothing Dianna loved to wear, but I squashed that thought before it could take hold. “Why?”
“It’s a masquerade ball. The mortals love it,” Vincent said, pacing.
I glanced up, noticing he wore one that matched his suit.
“The mortal council will arrive in two hours,” Vincent said, continuing to wear a hole in the carpet.
“Okay,” I said.
“Are you sure this is a good idea?” Logan asked, blowing out a breath. “With everything?”
“Especially with everything.” Vincent stopped pacing to glare at Logan. “We need a united front, and the Celebration of The Fall is a perfect excuse. Mortals love gatherings, and seeing us among them may ease their stress.”
“Aren’t you afraid of an attack? It’s been too quiet these last few weeks. It just feels as if he is winding up for something,” Logan said.
“No.” I was not afraid of anything at this point. All my worries or fears had already happened, it seemed. “Our next plan of action is to find out what other ingredients he needs to make this weapon,” I said, turning away from the pristine view.
“We have read and searched every record. There isn’t much of anything to go on. Whatever Kaden needs, it has to be in the Book of Azrael.”
“Then we are back to square one.” Logan huffed.
