Nori moved fast in spite of her shorter legs, but my strides were still longer. We weaved in between boulders and tree roots as I chased her through the forest. No matter how many times I called her name, she did not relent. When I was finally nipping at her heels, I took one giant leap and tackled her to the hard ground.
She writhed below me. Screaming and crying, fighting to break through my grasp.
“Get off me! Let me go! Please just let me go…”
I held her tightly in my arms, hoping her panic and adrenaline would subside. She felt small in my arms, but she fought me with all her strength until she could fight no longer.
“Just listen to me,” I begged. “I promise if you listen to me, I’ll let you go and I’ll respect your decision.”
Nori looked at me with distrust, the first time I’d ever seen this expression directed toward me—though I had witnessed it many times toward Saryn and Theory.
I loosened my grip and released her. She shoved herself off of me, both of us sitting across from one another on the mossy dirt ground. She looked as exhausted as I felt.
“If I must meet the Gods today then let it be of their making, I welcome my creators,” she practically spat at me in insolence.
“They’ll come…for…your mother,” I panted out the words.
Nori’s attention perked up in alarm. “…What did you say?”
“Saryn and Theory assured me if you leave, you will perish and then the Order will come for your mother.”
“What? That’s impossible… Why? How?” Nori’s worry dripped from every urgent question.
Still trying to catch my breath, I replied, “She’s of age, she’d be childless, and she’s young. With you dead that makes her eligible for the Offering.”
More tears began to stream down Nori’s face as I watched her hands curl into frustrated fists.
I began to crawl toward her slowly, trying to remain non-threatening.
“I’m so, so sorry. I couldn’t let you go through with this without knowing.” I paused, then added, “Please don’t go.”
Nori’s head hung in despair for a moment longer, but when she raised her gaze, I beheld a rage unlike any I’d seen before. A glow appeared to ripple across her deep black eyes.
I held my hand out and waited, hoping for her to take it, as I said, “You’re not useless. I know what you are.”
Nori tilted her head, assessing me, and her eyes terrified me.
“You’re a Dreamwalker, Nori. You are more than useful. You’re unique.”
Her voice trembled. “Ever since I arrived here, I’ve been accidentally slipping in and out of people’s dreams while I’msleeping. The people here are tormented and plagued with nightmares. I wish I had never bathed in the waters of Mirtith. I don’t want this.”
“Come back with me. I promise it will be ok. We will find a way to control your gift.” She finally took my hand and I helped pull her up to a standing position.
Nori didn’t face me but continued to hold my hand, staring into the distance, back to the terrace where the rest of our companions stood.
“They have no idea the monster they’ve got on their hands now that they’ve threatened my mother.”
Her statement was a warning, and a promise. I could not deny her this fury. It was probably the only thing that was going to motivate her to stay. We were told to let go of our past and sever those ties, but I knew that Nori needed this to fuel her. If this was the thing that hardened her, then she needed to embrace it.
We flew back to the stronghold, and most were surprised to see Nori return with me. I knew she was angry; I could still feel her energy resonating, but there was also a hint of embarrassment.
“Look what the cat dragged back,” Saryn remarked with displeasure.
“Shut your mouth!” I sneered. “You want to collect little gifted monsters, well here she is. You’re lucky I brought her back because as far as I know, she’s the only Dreamwalker amongst us, isn’t that right, Saryn?”
The rest of the group had surprised looks plastered across their faces, but Theory began to circle Nori, assessing.
“True, but what good is she to us if she refuses to fight?” Her question addressed the group, not Nori.