Page 152 of Stone Temptation

It occurred to my knobhead brain that I was leading the chimera toward populated areas. Eventually, at least. But what other choice did I have? I’d burn out at some point if I kept flying over the water, creating a whole new set of problems by landing in the waves.

Whatever. They weren’t getting Luke. They weren’t?—

Milky liquid spilled over my left arm.

“Luke?”

THIRTY-SIX

Luke

Ifound myself swimming the breaststroke in milk. Merrily carving through the liquid, fully aware I was drifting through a strange dream.

At least I got to swim.

“La, la, la,” I sang. “Dee, dee, da.”

What a happy place.

The milk kept me safe. Yes, it hid secrets from me, the shapes of truth slinking behind its walls. They followed my every move, never falling behind.

“La, la, la. Dee, dee, da.”

I really loved swimming.

“In milk, though?” I asked myself aloud.

In this dream, opening my mouth to speak didn’t allow the milk to flood in.

“What’s wrong with swimming in milk? Didn’t Cleopatra do it?”

“She bathed in milk,” I answered. “A bit different.”

“Not really.”

“Yes, really.”

“I’m having a conversation with myself.”

“And?”

“It’s fine. As long as I can keep on swimming. La, la, la. Dee, dee, da.”

Gliding through the milk, no cares in the world. Making the most of the respite, even with those shadows stalking me.

Heat forced me to stop, treading milk.

“No hot milk here,” I said.

“…won’t… hurt… him…”

“Asher?”

The shadows pressed closer.

“Was that Asher?”

“I think so,” I replied to myself.

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