Page 77 of Realm of Dreams & Shadows

“Yeah, yeah. In a sec.” She comes to sit on my bed, then takes one of my hands. “No bullshit. Are you okay with all this? I mean, really okay? Because if you need to take a step back, figure things out, or whatever, then I’ll tell Chase and Mr. Griffin that you need some time to process all of this.”

“No,” I blurt. “It’s good. I’m good. Well, scared out of my mind, but in a good sort of way. I feel, I dunno. Like I finally have a place. A purpose.” I grimace. “Does that sound too woo? For that matter, does it make any sense at all?”

“One, I’m all about the woo. And two, hell, yeah, it does. Total sense.”

“Good,” I say, relief warming my insides. “And thanks.”

“For what? For offering to tell them to back off?” She waves her words away, then says, “Sweetie, I get a little thrill telling guys to back off.”

I laugh. “Even so. The thanks are for everything. Believing me. Supporting me. Not running away screaming when things got weird.”

She grabs my hand and squeezes. “This is the most exciting thing that’s ever happened to me. Probably even the weirdest, although the damn magical girdle is a close second. Besides,” she adds, grabbing my other hand, “someone needs to keep you grounded while you’re off learning to be a supernatural badass. We’re good,” she says firmly. “At least on my end, we are.”

“Mine, too,” I say. “I think I’m a little in love with you.”

She sighs dramatically. “If only you liked girls. And didn’t have the scent of Chase’s kisses all over you.”

“That’s okay. You’d just toss me aside for Riley.”

She grins and waggles her eyebrows. “Hell, yeah, I would. Like in a heartbeat. But, you know, no offense.”

I’m still laughing as she leaves for class. I sit on the bed a bit longer, savoring the feeling of being rested for the first time in ages. But I can’t stay here forever. I have my own classes to attend, not to mention a job. At least, I assume I’m still working at The Griffin’s Nest, and not just training during working hours.

I hope so. I want to hold onto a normal life as long as I can. Because things are going to change. I know that. But I’m not willing to give up college and life and everything I love in this life.

Not without a fight, anyway.

I shower, dress, and head to Abnormal Psych, wondering if Professor Valdez would find my current situation fascinating or terrifying. Probably both.

The lecture is about sleep disorders and their psychological impacts, a topic I find ironic. And when Professor Valdez mentions night terrors, I slink down into my seat as she glances in my direction, probably wondering if I’m a bomb about to explode.

After class, I walk to TThe Griffin’s Nest for my shift, trying to process the strange duality of my life. On the surface, everything looks the same—students hurrying to classes, professors discussing academic theories, normal people living normal lives. But underneath, there’s a hidden world of supernatural threats. And it’s leaking over into this one.

“How are you feeling today?” Mr. Griffin asks as I make myself a latte.

“Better than I expected,” I admit. “But still a little freaked out.”

“I’d worry if you weren’t,” he says, then points to the coffee. “My favorite new employee would make me one too.”

“That’s why she’s your favorite,” I say, passing him the latte I’d just finished making and starting another one for myself.

I’m enjoying my first sip when my phone buzzes with a text from Chase: How are you feeling? Any aftereffects from last night?

I type back: Only the good kind. Then I backspace to erase it. I wish I were a girl who could flirt like that, but I’m not. Instead, I type, Good. Slept better than I have in weeks. Still on for tonight?

Same time, same place. We’ll try going a little deeper tonight.

I text back a thumbs-up.

BTW, last night was perfect.

I close my eyes, press my phone to my chest, and take a moment to savor the message. Then I text him back— Yeah. It really was.

I wait, but there’s no reply. That’s okay. Last night meant something to both of us, and I spend the day on a high, the hours passing quickly between my lusty thoughts and the busy store.

Around three, my heart skips a beat when Chase comes in. For a moment, I go all girly and just gawk at the gorgeousness that is him, sighing over the memory of last night’s kisses.

Then I get a look at his face and want to pull him close for a warm, protective hug because something’s off. He looks tired. Strained. Like he hasn’t slept.