Page 70 of Realm of Dreams & Shadows

“That’s normal,” Whistler says. “And I exacerbated it by pulling you out. The disorientation will fade with practice. You’ll see.”

I turn to face Chase. “What were you going to tell me?”

“Just that you’re doing great.”

Except that’s not the truth.

And now I can’t help but wonder what secrets he’s keeping from me. And if—when he does finally tell me everything—I’ll be strong enough to handle it.

The walk back to campus is quieter than our journey to The Griffin’s Nest but it’s a different kind of quiet—charged with awareness and unfinished conversations. Mr. Griffin joined us, and he and Tia have gone ahead to “sweep the route,” which I suspect is partially an excuse to give Chase and me some privacy.

“You did really well tonight,” Chase says as we cross the quad. “Better than I expected for a first session.”

“Really? What did you expect?”

“Most people panic the first time they realize they’re conscious in an unconscious state. The disorientation can be overwhelming.”

I consider this. “It felt natural, somehow. Like something I’d done before.” I shrug. “But I guess I have been there before, right?”

“You have,” he says. “Just not intentionally. Every nightmare, every dream where you’ve found yourself in the Nightmare Realm—you’ve been accessing those abilities instinctively.”

“The Nightmare Realm,” I repeat, my mind whirring. “You said there are five realms, right?” He nods. “Then how come I always end up there?”

He pauses, and I stop too, looking up at him with curiosity. “You know why, Cora.”

I swallow, not just from the intensity in his voice, but because of the answer. “Adric,” I say. “He brings me there.”

“Yes.” Chase slides his hands into his pockets. “He does.”

“And all those creatures? They live in the Nightmare Realm?”

He nods. “Some are simply citizens of that realm. Others are part of his royal guard.”

“Like the woman with the long hair.”

“Oh, yes,” he says. “She is probably his most loyal subject.”

We walk in silence as we approach Hamilton Hall, its familiar brick façade looking almost mundane after the otherworldly experience at Griffin’s.

Students are still moving in and out of the building despite the late hour, their voices carrying across the night air. I don’t see Tia, but Mr. Griffin holds up his phone as he heads back toward his shop. A second later, Chase’s phone chimes.

He glances at the screen. “Tia said to tell you she’s with Riley. They’re going to find coffee.”

I grin. Good for Tia. Plus, it’s rare to have alone time in a shared dorm room. So I should be eager to go up.

Except I’m not.

As we cross under the shadow of the Widow Maker, Chase pulls me to a stop.

“What?” I ask.

He shrugs, looking almost boyish. “I guess I just wanted to make sure you’re okay. Tonight was kind of intense.”

“It was,” I say, suddenly aware of my entire body. Because, honestly? I want it to get much more intense.

He reaches out, then curls a strand of my hair around his finger. “You’re amazing, Cora. I’ve known that for longer than you can imagine.”

I bite my lower lip, not sure what to say. I’m attracted to this guy—like seriously, wildly attracted—but it’s weird too, because he knows me more from a world that still seems like a dream—not an actual dimension that truly exists in our reality.