Page 80 of Realm of Dreams & Shadows

“Because it’s not a threshold,” Chase explains. “It’s in the Nightmare Realm. A place we can safely use for training.”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” Tia says. “You’re dumping her in the actual Nightmare Realm? Why not one of the other realms?”

Chase cocks his head. “And which would you suggest? A world full of magic she can’t manipulate? Fairy tale-type creatures who may well try to bake her into a pie? Or perhaps the dreamscape’s version of hell?”

“Yeah, but hello? It’s still my ass in the Nightmare Realm.”

“Is and is not,” Chase corrects, his focus back on me. “You can change the Neutral Zone—make it beautiful, even build a city. But it won’t stay. Once you leave, it falls back into dust. Which makes it undesirable for anyone looking to put down roots. That’s why Adric’s never built anything there. It doesn’t last.”

I nod, idly spinning my ring as I try to wrap my head around it. “Bottom line—I’m going to be alone in some barren wasteland. Right?”

“That’s the plan. And if someone else does pop in, we’re prepared to pull you out in an instant.”

At his words, I think of Adric, and my mouth goes dry. Not because I’m afraid he’ll be there. But because some traitorous part of me hopes he will.

“Cora?”

“Right,” I say quickly. “I get it. I’m heading to a sketchy abandoned neighborhood and hoping the mean kids don’t come back to play.” I manage a casual shrug, hoping I sound breezily confident and not stupidly scared.

The truth is, while I’m terrified at what I might face, I’m also beyond excited and ready to get going. I’ve seen what exists in that realm. I’ve watched Chase pull a sword from the sky. There’s power there, and control.

And the idea that I’m finally about to get a full taste of those things I’ve always had so little of— Well, right now I feel like a starving kitten finally being released to pounce on a bowl of cream.

“Stay aware,” Chase says, squatting in front of the cushion where I’ve settled. “And if you feel yourself losing control, just follow the anchor line back.”

“Anchor line?”

He trails his fingertips over my bare arm, and I have to stifle a moan from the sizzling heat his touch always brings. “I’m your anchor line,” he says, his voice low and firm, managing to be both businesslike and seductive.

Griffin clears his throat, and Chase and I share a grin. “Got it,” I say.

“Yeah,” he says, “you’ve got this. And we’ve got your back too.”

“And there’s no way I can get lost in there?”

“You won’t. And Hunter training includes techniques for tracking and retrieving lost Dreamwalkers. Though I’ve never⁠—”

“Never what?”

“Never had to retrieve someone I…”

He trails off, but his eyes never leave mine, and I feel a pleasant warmth in my belly. “I trust you,” I whisper.

“So are we gonna get this show on the road?” Whistler asks. “Or do we need a few more minutes for puppy dog eyes?”

Chase grins. “You ready?”

I nod. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”

“Close your eyes. Breathe deeply. And when you feel that first layer of consciousness dropping away, don’t stop this time. Keep going deeper.”

I follow his instructions, feeling that odd sensation of weightlessness as my awareness shifts. In my mind, the candlelit room fades, replaced by the silvery glow of the threshold space. But instead of stopping there, I continue descending, sinking through layers of reality like falling through water.

It’s remarkably easy, as if I’ve been doing this all my life. And the sensation is both exhilarating and terrifying. Each level down feels more removed from my physical body, more immersed in pure consciousness. A bit like dreaming on the sand monster beach, but with more intention.

By the time Chase’s voice urges me to anchor myself, I’m in the middle of a vast gray plain that seems to stretch endlessly in all directions.

“I’m here,” I say, though I’m not sure if I’m speaking aloud or just thinking the words.