The Fae King's Dream (Between Dawn and Dusk #2) - Jamie Schlosser Page 0,58
knocked-out warriors by our room and went through a secret escape I didn’t even know about.
I can’t stop shaking. Maybe it’s fear or maybe it’s the bone-deep cold that won’t leave my body. I almost got frostbite out there. I’m finally getting some feeling back in my poor feet, and at least the cuts are healed, thanks to Kai.
Burrowing deeper into Damon’s lap, I tug the wool blanket tighter around my shoulders. Quinn gives me a sympathetic smile, adds another log to the fireplace, and sits next to Kirian on the end of the bed.
For such a small room, it sure is crowded in here. Astrid is silent in the corner, and several soldiers are gathered by the doorway, Torius and Tibbs included. They feel terrible about not being able to protect me, but it wasn’t their fault.
It had to be a spell or something. Unfortunately, no one has come up with a viable explanation for what happened.
“Lavender eyes, light brown hair, the Shadowlands.” Kirian steeples his hands against his lips, his expression serious. “Sounds like Gia.”
Damon nods, his chin rubbing the top of my head. “But Whitley doesn’t know her. This wasn’t a premonition. How could she dream about someone she’s never seen?”
“It wasn’t just the woman that doesn’t make sense,” I supply, wanting to contribute something helpful to the discussion instead of just sitting here shivering. “The details of this room.” My eyes dart around the general’s suite. “I was asleep before we got here. I’d never seen it before, but I knew what it looked like in my dream.”
Furrowing his eyebrows, Damon tilts his head. “You were awake when I tried to put you to bed. Sort of. You were groggy, but you dressed yourself. Insisted on wearing one of my shirts.”
“I did?” I glance down at the white button-up. “I don’t remember that. I thought you changed me.”
“I would’ve been happy to do it if you’d asked.”
Heat rises to my cheeks, but I ignore the sexy offer so we can stay on topic. “And the secret exit? Obviously, I had no previous knowledge of it, but that’s how I got out without being noticed.”
While Damon was flying to find me, one of the guards realized the door had been tampered with, and another found my footprints in the snow.
Puzzled, Damon shakes his head. “I don’t understand. That door is classified information that very few people are privy to.”
One of the leaders of the citadel steps forward as he clears his throat. His dark hair is tied up in a bun and his eyes are downcast. “Your majesties. You mentioned The Night Realm princess. She took a tour here many years ago. She was fascinated with the escape route.”
“Gia doesn’t hold that title anymore,” Kirian says through gritted teeth.
The Night Realm princess? Now that I look at Kirian, I notice the physical similarities between him and the woman in my dream. Mainly the eyes.
“Who is she to you?” I ask.
“My sister. She was banished to the Shadowlands a year and a half ago. She can’t leave, so she couldn’t have physically come to you.”
“But that would mean Gia was actually in my dream,” I conclude, more confused than ever. “She knew personal things—like a nickname Damon calls me. Is she a Dream Walker, too?”
“No,” Kirian answers.
I suppress another shiver. “It’s like I was possessed or something.”
“Ohhh, this is not good,” Astrid finally speaks up, wringing her hands as she shuffles around, like she’s searching for a solution she can’t find.
“What?” Damon urges with impatience.
“The coven must have an Extractor.” At my questioning look, she goes on to explain, “Someone who can harness another’s powers for a short time. It’s very draining for all parties involved.” She faces us. “Whitley, you were very tired earlier, yes? Groggy, as Damon put it?”
I nod, a bit disturbed that I don’t even remember changing clothes. “Damon was a little tired, too. We had to cut dinner short.”
“Yes, Damon would’ve felt drained, because that’s literally what they were doing—draining his power to use it on you.” She points at me. “They kept you and the guards asleep with his slumber power, while using your Dream Weaving technique to make you believe you were in the middle of an emergency. They manipulated your abilities simultaneously, combining them to hijack your mind. Gia is somewhat of a pet for the coven. Since you wouldn’t find her threatening, they had her carry out the task of being your dream leader.”