than you do now. Think about it. Those of us who want you lost have been waiting just as long as those who want you to end the curse.”
“What exactly do you think you’re going to be able to do to stop me? I’m surrounded by people who have made it their lives’ work to protect me.”
He leans in to my ear and whispers, “not everyone here is who they seem to be.”
His breath feels volatile against my skin. He fingers dig into the back of my hand so hard that I’m sure they’re making visible bruises.
The song comes to an end and I barely notice. The clapping pounds in my ears. Everyone around us has stopped dancing. Ben releases his hold on me, takes a step backwards and bows to me with a sneer on his face. I turn to walk off the dance floor and bump into Zoë. “Em, what’s wrong? Are you okay?”
“I need some air.”
I push past her, moving quickly when Dr. Milton grabs hold of my arm. “Where are you going in such a hurry?”
“I’m sorry. I really need some air," I quickly say as a tear runs down my cheek.
He releases his hold on me and allows me to walk away. I lift the front of my dress a few inches so as not to trip on it, and hurriedly walk toward the large glass doors along the edge of the ballroom. I don’t make eye contact with anyone—I know they will stop me and I’m in no mood to talk. I hear their gasps as I rush by but ignore them.
When I finally reach the doors, I practically fly out onto the stone terrace. The cold, salty air hits me hard and I realize I’ve been holding my breath. I inhale sharply and tears quickly follow. “Emma?” Zoe’s voice rings out, surprising me. I didn’t know she was following me.
I turn back toward the door and when she sees my face, she rushes over to me. “Em, what’s wrong? What happened?”
“Ben happened. He’s not what I thought he was.”
“What do you mean?”
“He is completely against us being here and trying to break the curse.”
“What? What did he say?”
“Aside from threatening to take me outside and break my neck? He doesn’t want us to break the curse because he thinks dreamwalking will cease to exist.”
“He threatened you?”
“He knows about the journals. He knows we have them.”
“Does he know where they are?”
“I don’t know. He doesn’t seem to think we deserve them.”
“Where does that jerk get off? We have to tell Dr. Milton.” She turns to walk back inside. I grab her arm.
“No, Zoë, I don’t want to tell anyone.”
“Emma, are you kidding? We have to let him know. He could do something to us while we are unconscious. I don’t know why you are willing to take that risk, but I am not.”
“It’s not just him… I’ve seen his father before. I know I have, I just can’t figure out who he is. I got a really bad feeling from him.”
“Emma, are you listening to yourself? We are telling Dr. Milton! And we are telling him now!”
“What is it you must tell me?” A soft male voice breaks into our conversation.
We both turn immediately to the door. Dr. Milton stands next to it, staring at us with concern on his face. “Ladies?”
“Someone here… isn’t who you think they are.” I take a few small steps closer to him.
“I don’t understand.”
“Ben threatened Emma. He knows the journals exist, he knows we have them, he will stop at nothing to prevent us from breaking the curse.”
“Bennett Reynolds?”
“Yes, Bennett Reynolds. The maniac you had escorting your savior tonight.”
“I don’t understand. He threatened you, Miss Owens?”
“Yes.”
“What did he say?”
I take a deep breath. “He doesn’t want us to break the curse. He told me I wouldn’t survive my mission. I tried to get away from him but he wouldn’t let me go. He said if I continued to fight him . . . he would break my neck.”
The color drains from his face. He stumbles back to the concrete wall and falls against it. “I can’t believe I let this happen.”
“It wasn’t your fault,” I reassure him.
“He could ruin everything. I put you in danger, I put my son in danger.” His eyes dart back and forth, his breathing becomes heavier. “I have to get him out of here.”
He rushes to the door and pulls it open with force. Zoë and I follow him inside. We scan the