Another few seconds and she would have been lost.
The moment my eyes closed, darkness crept in around the edges. It was the same every time I used this part of my magic. I always had the forest dream. It was nearly pitch-black, with only gray fog to guide my way. Yet it wasn’t unnerving or alarming. I actually found it quite relaxing. By now this dream felt like home somehow. A large black dog with one red and one gold eye appeared in the distance, black smoke coiling around its body. Yet it just stared. This was new.
A shadowy form appeared in front of me, blocking my view of the dog. And then stepped into the light and it was Cooper. “Hey there, big guy.”
I scowled. “Dreamwalker.”
He chuckled and glanced around nervously. “Yeah, not enjoying this. You always dream all creepy like this?”
No, not always. Only when I used those certain types of my magic. “Are you here to wake me?”
“Sorry, yeah.” He grimaced like he genuinely felt bad for it. “Time to go.”
I gasped and opened my eyes – and Crone Island appeared on one side of me, the ocean on the other. I sighed and scrubbed my face with my hands. Olli barked and licked my wrists. I chuckled and ruffled his ears.
“Sorry to wake ya like that. Saffie was trying but you were out.”
“Don’t worry yourself, I had not been asleep long— wait. Saraphina?” I frowned and looked around, but there was no one but myself and Cooper… and Olli. “Where is everyone? How long was I asleep?”
Cooper exhaled real slow while shaking his head. “I think it’s been about an hour but I’m starting to think time doesn’t work the same here. I couldn’t…I couldn’t be in there anymore.” He held his hand out to help me up.
I didn’t need help but it was a sign that perhaps they would forgive me for my secrets. So I hugged Olli to my chest and put my other hand in his and let him put me to my feet. “It doesn’t.”
He cocked his head to the side. “Is it strange to be so much older than everyone you’re around?”
“Perhaps in my first century but afterward I got used to it.” I scanned the ocean surface but saw no trouble on the horizon, though I suspected that had more to do with Keltie and Leyka’s interference. “So, is Savannah all right?”
Cooper’s eyes darkened. He swallowed roughly and nodded. “Y-yeah. She’s…she’s tough. She’ll…she’ll be okay.”
I got the feeling he was trying to convince himself of that and it made me wonder if I’d missed something happening between the two of them. “So where is everyone?”
“Oh, right.” Cooper shook himself and pointed behind me. “Headed back this way now. Myrtle and Bentley insist Kenneth and Savannah need to return to Eden. So everyone went to gather them.”
I turned to follow his point and found the whole group walking straight for us. Cooper and I were beyond the line so we were in jeans and shirts, but everyone else was still in the ceremonial white that Crone Island forced everyone into.
Tegan, Bettina, and Emersyn led the group, walking close together and whispering. Lennox and Henley were right behind them talking animatedly. Jackson shook his head while Warner threw his head back and laughed. Braison held Paulina tight to his side while Willow and Chutney giggled beside them. Deacon and Royce were a few feet behind everyone with their heads leaned close, definitely conspiring, but then Easton sped around them carrying Lily on his back. Royce gasped and then jumped on Deacon’s back to imitate.
Cooper snorted beside me.
Devon and Hunter walked hand-in-hand near the back. Devon kept glancing over her shoulder to Bentley who was behind them while Hunter kept his hand on Gigi’s shoulder beside him. She was in human form. For now. She didn’t appear to have any control over that whatsoever, which made her a dangerous person to have around. I’d met many a shifter in my life. Their kings were always strict about civilians controlling their shifting.
I didn’t know what The Coven was going to do with her but she’d already caused trouble.
Gigi kept looking over her shoulder and crying at Savannah who was leaning all of her weight into Kessler. Constance squeezed Savannah’s arm and smiled as she walked beside her.
Where is Saraphina?
Movement caught my eye, so I craned my neck around to see but it was just Tennessee. Him and Timothy had their arms wrapped around Kenneth