Page 32 of These Deadly Dreams

“Can you do something to help her?” I ask Kai. With his abilities, he’s able to walk in people’s dreams. He’d be the one who could help her with this.

He shakes his head. “It doesn’t work like that. The most I could do is pull her out if she gets stuck. I’m not able to manipulate a dream she is already experiencing.”

“Any idea why you might be having it again so often?” I ask Ellis.

She snorts but there is no humor behind it. “Trauma?”

Fair enough. I kiss her forehead and notice she’s no longer feverish. “I just hate there’s nothing we can do to help you. With the dream or these fevers.”

She shrugs. Her eyes are red and puffy from her crying, with dried tear tracks down her cheeks. “It’s just a dream. I’ll be fine. And these fevers are annoying, but don’t seem to last long.”

Kai leans in to kiss her cheek. “Can we get you anything?”

“Food? I don’t think I’ve ever been this hungry.”

“Food is on its way,” Sterling says from the door to the porch.

I hadn’t even heard him come in. Which reminds me I need to lay down some wards.

“Why don’t you go take a shower and try to relax,” he says, nodding to the wooden staircase by the kitchen. “The shower is upstairs in the bedroom. When you’re done, I’m sure the food will be here.”

“Thank you, Sterling.” She stands and hesitates, staring at the wolf shifter with indecision on her face. Biting her lip, she turns away and heads for the stairs.

The three of us watch her until she disappears at the top.

“I hate this,” Kai murmurs. “I hate seeing her hurting.”

I don’t reply, because I’ve already stated my feelings on the matter. Nothing has changed. Kai’s words were nice, but they were just words. I get up and head for the front door. At least I can try to keep her safe while we’re here.

“I’m going to lay down some wards. I’ll be back.”

I walk the perimeter of the house, my magic flaring as I set protective wards. It’s a classic two-story wooden cabin you’d find in the mountains. Small but quaint. Perfect for a romantic weekend getaway. If only our purpose was for fun and relaxation.

I make it back around the front at the same time a small SUV pulls up the rocky slope. I vaguely recognize the man who steps out as Sterling’s friend. We’ve met once or twice, but it's been years since I saw him last.

“Cade, right?” he asks as he shuts the car door.

I nod and hold my hand out. He grabs it in a tight grip.

“Drew Harper. I’m Sterling’s friend.”

“Yeah, we met a few years ago. Thanks for getting us supplies,” I motion to the bags he’s currently pulling from the back of the car.

“No problem. I don’t know everything that’s going on, but I know a bit, and I’m happy to help.”

I jump in and grab the last few bags. Sterling opens the front door as we climb the wooden steps, and Drew and I walk in as Ellis is descending the stairs. I set my bags on the kitchen table and smile at her.

“Food,” I say.

She peers into a bag and her lips quirk. “Um, that doesn’t look like food,” she says with a raised brow.

I glance inside and chuckle. “Well, I guess that depends on what you consider food?”

Kai looks over Ellis’s shoulder and laughs. Reaching into the bag he pulls out the bottle lube and turns to Sterling. “Really?”

Sterling shrugs. “Thought you’d appreciate it.”

Kai tosses the bottle in the air and catches it. “Thanks man. Much appreciated.”

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