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“What the fuck was that?” The woman staggered back to her feet, looking around for her gun. I saw it partially under the bed and tugged it deeper with a tendril of shadow.
“That was a clown. I am a Nightmare. You’re lucky you’re no longer interesting to either of us.” I stood just as someone pounded on the door.
“Police! Open up.”
I gave her a quick bow and vanished again. She really wasn’t having a good day, after all. Part of me hoped she’d talk her way out of her predicament. Part of me didn’t have the energy to care. I needed to get back to Ember and the others.
Slipping through the shadows, I really hoped the clown was done with us or that we could get back to Nightmare soon. Though I’d gained some essence from the creature, the entire experience had been more draining than I preferred.
Not only for Dio’s sake did we need to get home.
Ember
Robby stepped out of the shadows and thrust a bag at me. I grabbed the black duffle and clutched it to my chest, sensing a strong connection to it. It must have been Dio’s essence.
“Nic?”
Robby tightened his lips. “He’s facing off against the clown.”
“And you left him?” I took a step forward, as if I could go help Nic myself.
“Well, princess, when a prince of Nightmare throws a priceless gem at you and tells you to run, you do.”
“Wait, you know how to follow orders?” Ash snarked.
“Ha, ha,” Robby replied. He eyed the duffle before turning away. “We will give Nic a minute to return on his own before I go save him.”
“We should go rescue Dio tonight,” I said. “Once Nic is back. We have to get them back to Nightmare.”
“And how, my dear princess, do you propose we do that?” Robby tilted his head as if genuinely curious.
“I really don’t know, but the longer Dio and his essence are separated, the more chance the Nightmare creatures have to get one or the other of them. We can’t lose Dio.” I hugged the black duffle.
Robby nodded. “Obviously.”
“You know, sometimes I want to punch you,” I muttered.
“It’s part of my charm,” Robby replied with a grin.
Before we could continue sniping at each other, Nic swirled out of the shadows.
“Nic!” I threw my arms around him. “Are you okay?”
“Yes, Ember. I’m all right.”
I saw Nic study Robby before glancing at the duffle I held.
“Should we go tonight?” I clutched the fabric more tightly in my hands.
Nic nodded. “Perhaps Ash can wrangle Casey?” He glanced at my cousin.
“Yeah, sure, shadow boy. What do you want me to tell her?” Ash frowned.
Robby sighed. “I haven’t the faintest. Maybe you could lure her back to your place with lyra talk.”
Ash chuckled. “I think I’ll tell her the truth and see what she makes of it.”
The jester’s eyes widened. “Perhaps not?”
