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“I’ll continue to investigate,” she continued. “Both your suspension and Bolt, now that we know his true origins and that he was with Spiderweb for a mysterious purpose. In the meantime, at least you’ll be earning magic the legal way.”
I wasn’t sure which method of acquiring power was worse—stealing it or earning it by frightening Mortals.
* * *
Later that morning,I wandered the forest where our home was hidden, desperate to escape the tension Mother’s presence had caused to permeate my thoughts. It was another gloomy day—fog hovered over the landscape, masking the bare, ornately twisted trees in a sheet of mist. I picked my way through the mossy undergrowth, slowing when I spotted Shade at the base of one of the trees, using a magnifying glass to examine the bark. She didn’t seem to notice me.
I paused and managed a small smile. Her unexpected presence seemed like providence, a much-needed reprieve from the gloominess currently shrouding me. Our encounter the day before had convinced me that if anyone could make me forget my worries, it was Shade.
I settled beside her and leaned against the rough trunk until she emerged from her reverie. It took her several minutes before she finally blinked up at me with a look like she’d just left somewhere otherworldly to rejoin reality.
“Good afternoon, Eden. Were we meeting today?”
Though we hadn’t planned to, I didn’t think our encounter was a mere coincidence, so I nodded. She brightened.
“So that explains why I came here. I’d forgotten and wondered if it was to gather more ingredients; I’m running low for my brews.” As she spoke, she carefully peeled off a piece of bark and put it into one of her many pockets.
I bit my lip, feeling bad for adding to her confusion, but by the way she was humming, she didn’t seem to mind. “What sense are you trying to create today?”
“The scent or taste of hope, I haven’t decided which yet. Hope needssomethingso that people who are in need of it recognize it more easily when they discover it.”
I sighed. “Hope is impossible to find in a place like this.” Especially in so dark a situation as mine.
Shade appeared thoughtful. “That’s not true, for hope is everywhere. It’s like the sun—even when we can’t see it behind the clouds, that doesn’t mean it’s not there.” She tilted her head and studied me, blinking rapidly as she did so. “You appear to be in need of some yourself, so I must work harder to create my sense. In the meantime, I can act in my role as best friend and serve as your confidante.”
She gave me such a sweet, expectant look, wide eyes imploring me to confide in her. I burrowed my fingers in the damp moss surrounding the base of the tree, as if to ground myself before speaking. “I’m getting my first nightmare weaving assignment tonight.”
She brightened. “How wonderful.”
“I don’t think so.”
Her forehead furrowed. “Why not? Weaving is fun.”
Before she’d been taken from me, weaving for Maci had been fun, for the dreams I’d created for her had been visions of light, beauty, and magic. But to weave stories of fear and sadness... “I don’t think I can do it. I don’t like the idea of frightening my Mortal.”
Shade scooted closer and pulled her knees up. “Neither do I. It’s likely why I lose so often. I’m trying to come up with non-scary nightmares.”
My lips twitched. Yes, she was exactly the distraction I needed. “A non-scary nightmare? Is that even possible?”
Shade blinked at me. “Why wouldn’t it be?”
“Nightmares by definition are supposed to be scary.”
“No, they’re meant to beunsettling. That’s quite a difference.”
I frowned, considering. “Have you managed to create such a nightmare?”
Shade clasped her crossed ankles and started swaying back and forth. “A few. Admittedly, my experiments don’t help me win very often, but winning isn’t everything, so I refuse to give up. Regardless, I know how to construct nightmares and would love to teach you; I can do it tomorrow before your first assignment.”
I still didn’t like the idea of weaving nightmares, but at least learning from someone who strove for non-scary ones would be better than receiving help from anyone else. Perhaps with her assistance, I could figure out how to make my nightmares as unfrightening as possible. I tried not to analyzewhyI desired such a thing. For shouldn’t a Nightmarewantto create fear?
Perhaps I already felt too much fear within myself that I couldn’t bear the idea of forcing an innocent newborn to experience it, too.
* * *
The Nightmare Councilchamber was aglow in silverly moonlight, a contrast to the sunlight that bathed the Dream Council chamber where I’d been suspended several months earlier. Above, the glass-dome ceiling was a window to the settling dusk and first sign of stars, light which reflected off the surrounding marble, which was intricately carved with a design of night.
I shifted beneath the sharp gazes of the Council as I awaited the assignment I hadn’t asked for. Mother stood rigidly beside me, casting me disapproving looks as penetrating as those of the Council.
