I swallowed the lump in my throat. “Is there any way to treat the other children?”
“Nothing so far. But I’m still researching. I’m sorry, Olive. But I’ve got to go.”
“I understand.”
The call ended with a click.
I shut the door behind me. With my energy drained, I collapsed onto my couch. I felt as if the Dreamthief lurked in my house, in the dark shadows, taunting me. Fighting it had become almost impossible. Jeremiah seemed so far away. Would I ever be able to save him?
The moment you give up is the moment he dies, Bill told me.
I wouldn’t let him die. God help me, it wouldn’t happen.
I showered. My mind wandered, and I may have washed my hair twice. I crawled out of the tub, wondering if it was worth it to make it to bed or if I were better off sleeping on the floor. I grabbed a towel and dried my hair when something caught my eye.
In the mirror.
I didn’t look into the mirror directly, but I knew something waited there, in the space between this world and Faythander.
A deep, rolling thunder echoed in the distance. The lights flickered. I reached into my drawer and pulled out my red satin gown. I debated on rummaging through the dryer to find my flannel pajamas, but exhaustion overrode my sensibilities.
The satin material and spaghetti straps stuck to my damp skin as I pulled on the gown. I rummaged for some underwear but could only find my black lace panties. Folding the laundry needed to go on my to-do list, after saving the world, of course.
I reached into the bathroom to turn off the switch but paused, the power of the presence caught me off guard. It had waited for me.
Fear squirmed through my veins. I fought the urge to run away screaming. Instead, I switched off the light.
A knock came at my door. I jumped.
I crossed through my living room, wondering who could be at my door at such an unholy hour. I looked through the peephole.
Kull.
What could he possibly want? I debated on not answering the door, or at least changing into something less revealing, but I decided to see what he wanted first.
It had better be life or death.
I cracked the door open. “What?” I asked.
With a look of amazement on his face, he held up a can of Dr. Pepper. “Have you ever tasted such a thing?”
“You’ve come in the middle of night for this?”
“It’s very good. Even in the Wultlands, nothing is served as refreshing as this beverage. It has bubbles in it, Olive.”
I ground my teeth.
He peeked inside. “Is everything okay?”
“It was.”
“You look pale.”
“I’m not.”
“May I come inside? You really should try this.”
“Can it wait until—?”
He pushed past me and entered my apartment.
Stubborn, stubborn, stubborn.
“I could call the police for this sort of thing, you know.”
I crossed my arms over my chest. Why hadn’t I at least grabbed a robe? Now I felt half-naked standing here in front of him. Maybe he wouldn’t notice.
He did.
He paused before crossing into my kitchen as his eyes snagged on my gown. The look only lasted a few moments, but I couldn’t help but notice a primal urge in his gaze, a look that suggested so much more.
“You… I…” he started.
I raised an eyebrow. “Yes?”
“I—I didn’t realize… Do you always choose such apparel to sleep in?”
“I usually don’t. Tonight was an exception as I was too tired to find anything else.”
Hint. Too tired. Please leave me alone so I can get some rest.
He didn’t seem to get the message. Instead, he crossed into my kitchen and pulled a glass from the cabinet. Han Solo appeared and brushed against the warrior’s legs.
The tension in the room dissipated as he turned his attention to my cat. He rubbed Han’s ears, which looked a little ridiculous with his huge hands so gently stroking such a small head.
What did it matter what I wore, anyway? If anyone should feel embarrassed, it should be him. I decided to play it casual.
Leaning on the bar, I wondered where on earth this guy got his nerve, though secretly, I felt grateful not to be alone anymore.
After Han leapt away, Kull poured a glass of soda and handed it to me. “Drink it slowly. It’s got a powerful fizz.”
I emptied half my cup. He lifted an eyebrow.
“So, what happened to staying at your hotel?” I asked him.
“Have you been to one of those places? They’ll bore you to tears. Nothing to do but watch that box. No sport, no libraries. I thought I would succumb to madness. And then, I found a machine with this.” He held up his can. “Amazing, isn’t it?”
“Sure,” I said and took another sip. Where had he found money to buy a soda? The image of a gutted vending machine came to mind.
“Did I wake you?” he asked.
I glanced at my bathroom. The light was on. Hadn’t I turned it off? “No, not exactly.”
“You’re frightened of something. What is it?”
“I never said I was frightened.”
He leaned over the bar, close enough for me to see the soft azure flecks in his eyes. “You didn’t have to say it.”
I wanted to draw back, but his gaze held me. “In the bathroom,” I admitted quietly. “I felt a presence. It could be the Dreamthief. It’s using my mirror to try to cross. At least, I suspect so.”
“Did it harm you?”
“No, I don’t think it has the power to.”
Not yet, anyway.
He unsheathed his sword. Where on earth did that come from? “Shall I destroy the mirror?”
“No.” I put my hand on his arm. Biceps tightened under my fingertips. Our gazes locked. Something inside those intelligent blue eyes made me pause. I felt strength there, of course, but also fierce loyalty. This was the sort of man who someone married and kept, who grew old with you and still thought you were the most beautiful creature on the planet. Euralysia was lucky, whether she realized it or not.
Kull sheathed his sword. I went back to
