Page 75 of Snatched By the Sandman

Folding my hands on the table and locking eyes with the mortal, I address her, “Zenya, the Trials you are about to undertake are unlike anything you have faced.” My voice resonates deeper, mirroring the swelling shadows. “You will travel through time, revisiting pivotal moments of your life. These are the echoes of your past, of your deepest fears and regrets. You must face your darkness and make peace with it.

“More than that, you must take a piece of your past with you every time. Once you collect the three necessary pieces, they will grant you the ability to safely remove the Eye of Morpheus and Nyxion’s hyoid bone.”

Some call it shadow work. I call it Abyss work.

“Why can’t we just get them out now?” she wonders understandably.

You will die.

Zenya looks to Nyxion after he’s uttered the ominous but true statement.

“Regardless of the method of implantation,”—I needle my eyes upon both Gods—“power such as dream weaving is not granted without a cost. Two options exist for such a cost according to the universe’s laws of magic and balance. You may labor for the cost in the Trials, exchanging the emotions and passion of your journey and accepting the transformation that follows. Or you must pay to Death.”

She nods, her lips pressed into an expression of determination and apprehension.

I incline my head to Morpheus, who braces a fist on the table, his wings stiffening. “We cannot tell you what will happen. It would alter the course of your journey and interfere with the process. But you must tread carefully,” he warns, his tone lowering. “The deeper you go into your memories, the closer you get to the Abyss.”

When Zenya shivers, the God of Dreams opens his mouth, prepared to explain until?—

—The Abyss is a place of endless void, a consuming darkness,Nyxion interrupts, leveling his black eyes upon Zenya.

Her posture changes. While she stiffens at first, her body softens, and her eyes glisten with tears she likely does not understand. I imagine she is feeling the war within her. The darker parts of her inner psyche are irrevocably drawn to Nyxion. Perhaps he is also her shadow work in a way—how she may flirt and play with the darkness and survive it, overcome it. And of course…taunt and claw and bite at it.

I gesture in a silent command for my hounds to approach her. Zenya welcomes two placing their snouts upon her lap whileI elaborate. “If you stray too deep, its forces will become aware of you. Some, like the reavers, will attack. Others may simply be curious, but all are dangerous.”

Zenya’s eyes widen slightly, but she remains resolute, scratching both dogs’ ears and ruffling their fur.

“You must dream weave protection for yourself,” Morpheus goes on, twisting his shadows into the image of a female warrior raising her shield to block a hail of arrows. “Use your power to create barriers, shields, anything that will keep you safe. Remember, your strength lies in your ability to shape dreams. Use it wisely.”

I rise from my seat and approach our little dreamer, offering a commanding but comforting presence. Combing my fingers through a few strands, I lower my palm to cup her shoulder and add, “Know this, Zenya. You will not be alone. We will be watching you, guiding you as we may. We will do what we can to fight alongside you. But the greatest battle is yours to fight….within yourself. Trust in your abilities and in the bond we share.”

She clasps the hand on her shoulder, still petting my hounds. Her gaze strays to the God of Nightmares again before she bites her lower lip, conflicted.

Nyxion nods his agreement. He hasn’t taken his eyes off her the whole time. But he doesn’t lift one bony finger toward her, which breeds more curiosity within me.

When the fear manifests, Zenya, you must choose whether it’s the moment to show it your teeth and claws…little killer, Nyxion added the last part more hesitantly as if testing. He rests his skeletal hands on the table—steadier than ever.Or if you must give it something else. You will face your past, confront your demons, and emerge stronger.

Was that a manifestation from the God of Nightmares?

Regardless, Zenya takes a deep breath and straightens in her chair, her blue-green eyes still, unwavering. She does not mind his pet name—even if Beastie does. Perhaps it helps her. Perhaps she’s made peace with it. If not, she undoubtedly will during the Trials.

The dark path ahead will push her to her limits, but she is ready to face them. And we will be with her…always.

If she loses her soul to Thanatos, there is no doubt the three of us will go to Hades, especially me. After all, my interference led Persephone to eat the pomegranate seeds. Hades and I are on such good terms, and he owes me a favor or two.

“I think I get it,” she says while slumping the top half of her body onto the table. “But seriously…before I descend into the lion’s den, can I have a nice, long cat nap?” The torch upon her brow glows with a faint light. She flashes her eyes at Morpheus, then to Nyxion, and then to me.

“Do you want us to stay with you, little dreamer?” I proffer, leaning back in my chair. Morpheus lifts his wings, feathers ruffling with hope.

Zenya yawns and nods. “Kind of.”

The three of us exchange glances, then smile—all curious as to what she means.

Chapter 26

“You would give everything for her, wouldn’t you?”

MORPHEUS

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