Page 51 of Realm of Dreams & Shadows

I turn back slowly, looking down at the ring that won’t come off.

“You know this ring?”

“I found the band to hold the stone.” A sad smile touches his lips. “It’s good you have it. Your mother would like that.”

His voice is so soft, so tender, that I can’t stop myself from asking, “How did you know my mom?”

He’s silent for a moment, as if gathering his thoughts. “We were very close for several years,” he finally says, his voice thick. “I thought we would shore up the barriers together, she and I.”

“What happened?”

“We failed.” He looks so broken, I’m surprised he doesn’t sit down. Then he draws a deep breath, his composure returning. “It is your responsibility now, as you have probably already realized.”

“Responsibility? What? The barriers?” I shake my head. “Do you even know how crazy you sound?”

“Of course,” he says. “But everyone in this room knows we are not. And you know what you must do.”

I take a step toward the door, yanking Tia along with me. “This was a mistake,” I say, needing time to regroup. To think.

“There is no time to waste,” Vance says. “You’ve seen them, haven’t you?” Vance’s words freeze me in place.

“Them?”

“The Hunter and the King. The man with golden eyes who pursues you in your dreams. And the Nightmare King, whose eyes shine like silver.”

Tia squeezes my hand. Hard.

“How the hell do you know that?” I ask.

His eyes meet mine, soft, yet unflinching. “As I said, I was very close to your mother.”

A rail-thin man with wire-rimmed glasses shifts forward. “The barriers are weakening,” he says, his voice reedy and nervous. “Creatures are slipping through. You must know this. Just as you know that you must keep the barriers from falling.”

“What? I don’t know any of that. I never heard any of this until I walked into this room. So why on earth would I be the Chosen One?”

“Your bloodline, of course,” Vance says.

“This is crazy,” I mutter, more to myself than to them. “You’re all crazy.”

“You know better than that. We’re your allies, Cora. We can help you in so many ways.”

“Such as?”

“Controlling your dreamwalking. Perhaps even using it to your advantage.”

Tia steps forward, her voice sharp with suspicion when she says simply, “Why?”

“Dark times are coming,” he says. “If the barriers fall, the Oneiroi will be prepared. You must be too,” he says, his focus on me. “Your role in the new order will be quite significant.”

I believe him. Or, rather, I believe that he believes what he’s saying. But I don’t believe that he’s told me everything. Not even close.

“I need time,” I say. “This is a lot to process.”

Vance nods, seemingly satisfied. “Of course. We wouldn’t expect you to make such a decision lightly.” He circles the table, then hands me a business card. “When you’re ready to talk further—about the realms or about your abilities—call that number.” He puts his hand on my shoulder in a gesture that feels almost paternal. “Day or night, Cora.”

I tuck the card into my pocket as I step away from his touch. “Well,” I say, facing them all, “this has been interesting.” I glance at Tia, who rolls her eyes, then follows me out of the room.

“That was intense,” Tia whispers as we descend the staircase. “And I still don’t have a clue what they want from you. Do you know?”