Page 86 of Addicted in Blood
“Did we get pictures from everything in Underwood’s file?”The question came from Lyra.“Perhaps there were additional pages we don’t have that could help.Since Underwood isn’t connected to the Magic Poppy, perhaps the Council would allow us a copy of the file.”
It was an excellent idea, though most likely a long shot.And her question reminded me of something I’d seen on the video when Harlow was taking pictures of the files.He’d taken a page from Christopher’s and tucked it in his pocket.I’d have to pay him a visit and see what it was.
I stole a peek at Devon and found him frowning.He wasn’t looking at his sister; his gaze had lowered.Maybe he was mentally checking a list of his questions.Or maybe he was reviewing what he had for breakfast.Without speaking with him, it was impossible to tell if he was improving.
“It’s difficult to read the Council these days, but there are one or two I can reach out to.”Sergi shut the case he kept his tablet in.“It will depend on which way the wind is blowing, but I’ll get on it.”
“That concludes House business for now.I suggest a special lunch to celebrate the good fortune that came to our House today.Cook has something special prepared, and a table has been set in the solarium.
When Lyra released us, I was the first one out the door.There was good cause to celebrate, but I already felt like a fifth-wheel, or the dead guy’s mistress sitting across the aisle from his widow at the wake.I was a pentagram trying to fit in a circle.Instead of heading for the solarium, I found Jacques in the hall, and I snagged him.
“Take me back to the condo.”
ChapterForty
I perched on the bench,the heavy scent of roses blending with the sea air.My knee bounced as I questioned whether this was the right approach.I ran a hand over my sundress, the periwinkle color something different for me.
This was the second time I knowingly attempted to bring someone to a construct when not expecting it.Devon and I never spoke of the first one, when he woke to find me in his bed.But so much had happened since then, we’d never had the chance to talk about much of anything.
My nerves were a mess.This was a big gamble considering the rift between us, but having this conversation in the waking world could be a riskier one.It was my own dream world.One I could shut down at any time.No awkward walking away.No slamming of a door in someone’s face.Just stop the dream.Yeah.What could go wrong there?
I heard the footsteps on the gravel path, and I closed my eyes, sucking in a deep breath and sliding on my game face.When the footsteps faltered, I stood and turned around, the ocean to my back.
He was so breathtaking.His hair was rumpled from sleep, which was odd as it never looked that way before when we’d shared a dream.But the question of why slipped away as I skimmed over his clothing.He was in the same suit he’d been in at the meeting earlier.I’d waited until late to be sure he’d be asleep.I grimaced at the thought that I’d pulled him away from someplace while he was still awake.If I had, was it because some part of him wanted to come?
I took a step toward him, and then another.“Hello, Devon.”God, that was stupid.I’d spent time planning the best construct but never considered how to start the conversation.
“Lyra was disappointed you didn’t stay for the celebration.She considers you the reason for it.”
Sheconsidered it.Did that mean he didn’t think my part was worth a mention?“I didn’t mean for our differences to upset her.She’s been nothing but gracious to me.”
His brow lifted.If I’d made it sound like she was the only one who respected my role in it, then I guess we were even.“I understand Cook had blueberry scones for the occasion, but when he heard you left, he had them returned to the kitchen.”
Now he was making me feel guilty and terribly sad.
“Why the dream, Cressa?Why not come to me awake?”Devon stood his ground, but I could see his desire to take a step back for every step I took toward him.And for a moment, he appeared afraid of me.
If this conversation weren’t serious, if we weren’t in a construct I didn’t know how long I could maintain, I might have laughed at the thought a vamp could be scared of an inexperienced dreamwalker.One who’d saved his life.
At first, the idea made my angry.But if I considered it from his point, of how confused and angry I’d been with the first dreams when I thought he’d been manipulating them, I could see his point.
“I never asked Colantha whether physical activity in a dream impacted the sleeping form.”Instead of walking toward him, I moved toward a vine and plucked a rose, its heady scent touching on favored memories.“I was exhausted after each session with her, but it was a mental tiredness.I don’t remember feeling tired after our shared dreams.Do you?”
He shook his head.
I nodded.“You’ve been through a lot in the last week, so I thought it best we meet in our dreams.”I was such a liar.I gave him a shaky laugh.“That, and I wanted to see if I could initiate a dream world.It’s been a few days since my last test with Colantha.”I turned around with my arms raised to the sky.“This is a construct of my own making.What do you think?”
He broke his gaze from me and surveyed our surroundings.“Pieces of it seem familiar.Is this a real place?”
I’d hoped his curiosity would distract him.“It’s a consolidation of real places.The pieces that blend the different landscapes together are of my making.How I imagine the puzzle pieces might fit.I don’t have the experience, or power, to create from a blank canvas.At least, I think that’s right.”
“The roses?”
“From your garden at Oasis, and the sycamore—” I nodded to a point over his shoulder, “—from the manor.Most of it’s from Newberry Park.That was one of the places I’d run to when I had to get away from my life.A place I always felt safe.”I gave a self-deprecating laugh.“Poor little rich girl syndrome.It wasn’t difficult to tell if Christopher was on a rampage from the minute he walked through the door.Some business fell through, he had a difficult overseas call, his mistress was too busy, so he had to come home.Pretty much anything that didn’t go his way gave him a reason to strike out.And I was his favorite chew toy.”I shook myself.This wasn’t about me or my relationship with a dead man.“Even after I’d fled that life, whenever I questioned my direction, this place seemed to help.”
“Why didn’t you dreamwalk with me after we were taken to Oasis?”
His question surprised me.Had he been hurt that I hadn’t before now?
