“The dream realm is my most sacred domain. I am here more than I am there, though not always so out in the open like this. Some journeys must be undertaken in the lonely darkness of one’s own soul. However, you have asked for guidance on your quest for the sacred objects, and I am here with an important message.”
“But what about Kirin and Baz?” My voice is shaky with panic. As much as I’d love to pull up a stone slab and wax mystical with one of the most powerful witches in existence, who also sounds like exactly the kind of emo badass queen I need in my life right now, Ireallyneed to find the guys. “We’re dream-sharing,” I explain. “We’re supposed to go to the stone circle beyond the spires.”
“To find the Sword of Breath and Blade,” she says.
“Yes! Have you seen or spoken with them?”
“They are walking their own paths, as all are meant to in this realm.”
I stretch out my fingers, automatically seeking the warm touch of my brothers.
“I really need to find them,” I say, but Lala is already shaking her head.
“In time, you will. Though time is something we cannot take for granted here. The longer you remain, Starla, the more difficult it will be for you to return home.”
“But this isn’t my first trip.”
“Precisely. Each time you visit, you leave a piece of yourself behind—sacred knowledge your enemies can and will exploit. The Dark Arcana will press every advantage.”
“What sort of sacred knowledge?”
“Secrets. Fears. Shame and guilt. Regrets. The usual mental baggage all humans carry.” She tries for a smile, but her eyes are dark and serious.
A chill settles into the marrow of my bones.
“But how could the Dark Arcana exploit that stuff?”
“Oh, quite simply and quite thoroughly. Consider: if the Tarot in its purest form is a guide to your innermost self, then what would the darkest, most twisted version of that guide do?”
She doesn’t elaborate, and I don’t ask her to. The answers are already rushing through my mind unbidden: sabotage, torment, manipulation.
I swallow hard, picking at one of the crystals on my wedding dress. I really hope that was the worst of it. I don’t think I can handle any more bad news at the moment.
Offering what I hope is a welcoming smile, I look at her and say, “So, what’s this about a message? Please tell me you have a map, and maybe some snacks. Actually, at this point I’d prefer the snacks.”
Lala smiles mysteriously. Definitely a thing with her. Behind her, the crescent moon winks over the sea, the salty night air drifting toward us on a warm breeze. It reminds me of Doc—his ferocity, his wildness, the almost-kiss we shared in his classroom—and I smile. I swear I can feel his protective presence, even here.
Come back to us…
His earlier words float through my mind, settling in my heart and giving me a much-needed shot of strength and determination.
I blow out a breath, squaring my shoulders. I think of Doc and Ani back in the material realm. I think of Isla and Nat, of Professor Broome and Professor Maddox, of everyone coming together to help us tonight, no questions asked. And I think of my best friend Jessa, never losing faith in me, even when I sometimes lose faith in myself.
Of course I’ll come back to you, Doc. And when I do? Fair warning… I’m probably most definitely going to kiss you…
My smile stretches wider, a warmth spreading inside my chest as I make that silent promise to myself. I picture the look of shock on his handsome face, the moment’s hesitation before he finally gives in to his desires and claims me in a ferocious kiss of his own.
Something to hope for. And sometimes, hope is all you need to pull you through the worst of it.
For a minute, it almost feels like things are looking up. Like we might actually stand a chance against this unfathomable terror.
Then Lala grabs my hands in a crushing grip and says, “Starla. I need to tell you how you’re going to die.”
Two
ANSEL
My mother once told me I’d never know love.
