Page 15 of Betrayed in Blood
“Okay.” I glanced around the table. “See if you can leave.”
Sonja immediately disappeared. The others remained but appeared nervous until they glanced at Gregor, seeming to gain confidence from him. Then Antonio disappeared, leaving Nancy and Genese.
“That’s alright. I’ve stopped now.” The two women lowered their heads. “There’s no shame in this. It took me a few attempts before I could release myself from another dreamwalker’s hold. And it comes down to who has more power and how much power they’re using to hold you. It requires a great deal of energy to hold someone.” I didn’t want to mention that I’d pulled myself out of a construct built by Colantha, who seemed to have the power of a god. It was best they learned in baby steps.
I considered the dreamwalkers who’d pulled themselves out and decided to bring Sonja back.
She blinked when she returned, once again in the sundress I created. “Thank you for bringing me back. I didn’t want to miss anything.”
“Should I bring the others back?”
She shook her head and grinned. “I think they’ve seen enough for one day.”
I returned her grin and glanced at Gregor, who’d finished his mojito. “Is there anything else you’d like to see?”
“I’ve heard it told a dreamwalker can move between constructs in one dreamwalk.”
I nodded and glanced at the women. “Care to go for a ride? I promise to take it slow.”
Their interest piqued, and while I was certain some of it was their innate curiosity, it wasn’t lost on me that Gregor inspired their courage. “Remember, this is just a construct. You can either enjoy the ride or, if you put your mind to it, remove yourself at any time.”
When everyone nodded, I took them on a short trip. Our first stop was Coney Island, where Devon said Colantha had taken him, then to the icy mountaintop Colantha had first taken me, then to the coffee shop in San Francisco, and finally to the made-up construct where I’d brought Devon when we’d been at odds after his addiction to the Magic Poppy and where we’d made mad love. I kept us there as I studied the group’s faces.
The first stop had made them nervous, and the mountaintop frightened the women. I didn’t keep us there long because it was too cold, and with my energy waning, I wasn’t able to change their clothing. But then their faces turned to wonder as I made the last trips. They seemed to be enjoying themselves now, waiting for the next construct.
“This place doesn’t exist as far as I know. It’s made of bits of my favorite places.”
“These are places from your memories?” Genese’s tone was full of wonder.
“Yes. Have you ever tried this?”
The women shook their heads. I turned to Gregor. “If you’ve seen enough, I can take us back to the conference room.”
He took a long look around the construct, then nodded.
We were back in the conference room, where the men who’d left the construct remained, and everyone stared at me. Antonio was the first to speak.
“I think I’m jealous I wasn’t able to return. Tell us everything.”
I didn’t have to. Nancy and Genese explained it well, and it appeared those who had left the construct were disappointed in what they’d missed.
“Can we do it again?” Joseph asked.
I shook my head, a light headache was forming. “I need to rest and recharge. Maybe a short trip tomorrow?”
“Yes.” Gregor stood and rubbed his hands together. “There is much to discuss, and I think Cressa could use the healer.”
“I’m okay. I just need a nap.” But when I rose, my legs shook, and I tilted to the left. Antonio reached out to steady me, and I smiled at him. “Well, maybe a potion wouldn’t hurt.”
Gregor led me out as the others remained with the men shouting out questions as to where the women had gone and what they’d seen. My head hurt the more we walked. I’d expended too much energy. What I needed was some of Colantha’s special juice.
Gregor stopped in front of our suite. His brows furrowed. “The healer will be up shortly, but I have one question.”
“Alright.”
“In the construct, you mentioned a heist.”
I shook my head, then was sorry for it. “I’m not sure I should have mentioned it, but since we’re going to be allies.” I glanced up and down the hall and held back a grin when Gregor copied my actions. “It’s how I met Devon. Not during a heist, but he required a thief with special skills. Skills that I happen to possess.”
