“We talk about our dreams together all the time,” I added in an attempt to redeem myself.
Stardust groaned. “You’re only making it worse.”
“What do you mean she talks with you?” Angel demanded. “Mortals can’t see Dreamers.”
Oops, I’d forgotten that little detail. I hastily tried to come up with a way to escape the hole I’d dug myself into. At this point, admitting I was from Earth seemed the best option; any further lies might cause me to be mistaken for someone who possessed dark magic.
“I’m…actually from Earth. So I know her.”
Angel and Iris gaped at me. “No wonder I’ve never seen you around here before.” Iris pressed her thumb against her lips again. “But I don’t understand: if you’re from Earth, how did you come here, and how is it you can see us?”
“It’s impossible,” Angel interrupted. “Non-magical beings are unable to enter the Dream World, and Mortals with magic don’t exist. Anyone with magic is either a Dreamer or Nightmare; there is no other category.”
“I never claimed I’m a Mortal; I’m a Dreamer.” I tugged my dream locket from beneath my collar and held it up. The dream dust it harbored glistened in the light as it swung in the air like a pendulum. Iris and Angel followed the movement with wide eyes, lost for words. Angel was the first to recover.
“It’s unheard of for Dreamers to live on Earth, unless…” She leaned closer to Iris, her beady gaze remaining focused on me. “You know, she could be—” she whispered, not quietly.
Iris gasped. “Oh dear, are you…that Weaver?” she asked from behind her hands. “The one who disappeared after her banishment, the one they’re still looking for?”
“Of course not,” I said.
“You don’t expect her to admit it, do you?” Angel asked. Gnawing her lip, Iris glanced at Petals for confirmation I was telling the truth and visibly relaxed when Petals nodded.
“Well, that settles it. Wow, a Dreamer from Earth. Does the Dream Council know about your presence?”
“You’re not going to tell them, are you?” I asked.
Angel shrugged and Iris fiddled with her daffodil earrings. “Well, I want you to stay, but the Council should be made aware…”
“Don’t be a spoil sport; the fact she may be illegal makes her more interesting. A Dreamer is a Dreamer, regardless of where they come from.” Angel surveyed me with increased enthusiasm. “You said you’ve grown up hearing Alice talk about her dreams? What does she say?”
“She always gushes about how enchanting and creative they are,” I lied, but my fib was worth it by the way Angel’s entire expression lit up. Petals gave me a quizzical look—obviously having detected my lie—but thankfully she didn’t say anything.
“I’m glad. Alice is my first Mortal and I'm still learning the trade. It’s difficult coming up with something new and exciting every night, especially when I’m behind on one of my Nature Artist projects or Blaze is breathing down my neck.” Her eyes narrowed at something behind me. “What’s that?”
We all turned. A glistening golden bubble about the size of my hand had appeared at the edge of the field. It floated over, pausing to bob directly in front of me.
Iris gasped. “A summons.”
The word itself made my stomach feel as if it was dissolving in a black hole. “What’s a summons?”
“A message from the Dream Council,” Angel said. “I knew they’d send for you; they were bound to detect the presence of a stranger sooner or later.”
The summons bounced against my hand impatiently, tickling me like the pulse of hummingbird wings. I weighed it, as if my upcoming doom could be measured. For a bubble it was surprisingly solid.
Stardust wiggled impatiently beside me. “Open it already, or I’ll do it myself.”
“There’s no opening.” I searched every part of its smooth surface, but there was nowhere to pry it open. Perhaps I would have to pop it.
“Stroke your fingers around the outside,” Angel instructed.
I ran my fingertips along the outside and the bubble melted into long ribbons, which rose out and twisted into cursive scrawl:
The Council is waiting. Come to the Council Chamber at the conclusion of the hour when sunset fades into night.
The message hovered for a few moments before popping, leaving my insides churning in a meteor shower of nerves. The Council reigning over this fantastic world wanted to see me, and certainly it wasn’t for tea and crumpets. Would they punish me for coming uninvited to their magical land?
“Will they kick me out?” I tried unsuccessfully to suppress the quiver in my voice.
Iris laid a gentle hand on my arm. “Surely not. The Council is very just, and the Dream World is home to all magical beings; certainly your place of birth won’t change that.” She frowned up at the sky. The moon had risen, and carved on its surface was an intricate dial, much like a sundial. “The end of night’s first hour is only a few minutes away. You’d better go; the Council doesn’t like to be kept waiting.”
Stardust nudged me and I shakily slid onto her. “It’ll be alright,” she assured me. “I didn’t drag you here just for a few hours of sightseeing.” And we took off into the star-shrouded sky to greet the Council.
Chapter 10
“Remember, Eden: don’t tell them anything about your ability to see dreams,” Stardust hissed for the umpteenth time as we neared the looming tower where the Council awaited me. “With your background on Earth, we’re already going to have a difficult enough time convincing them to let you stay; if they learn about your unique magic, they may connect you to the suspicious magical bursts that have been occurring.”
My heart pounded in an unrelenting tempo, and with the tightening knots in my stomach I truly thought I’d be ill. I had only just gotten to the Dream World; I certainly wasn’t ready to leave.
“If you don’t arouse their suspicions, there’s a chance they’ll let you remain.” But Stardust’s voice wavered,
