Obstruction By Nightmare (Academy of Broken Dreams Book 3)

by Rose Alexander

  “Fury hasn’t seen a change. We still eat with the Empyreans and take classes with the Empyreans and Caballine.” Finn shrugs then fixates on his feet.

  “You can’t help what class you were born into. Don’t feel guilty.” Ryland places a hand on his shoulder.

  Finn nods, but doesn’t raise his head.

  “We’re still in classes with Fury and Empyreans, but they force us to eat after them.” Korbin’s eyes darken.

  “We need to get everyone here and train them.” Ryland stands up and starts pacing. “But how do we train a group of people to take on tasks we don’t quite understand?”

  “We bring trusted adults in to help us come up with a plan. Aunt Nellie is on board, and Mrs. King will help.” I smile at him, loving how he’s stepping up to help.

  We continue talking and trying to come up with a strategy to start our movement as one by one each person disappears from the Hollow as they wake up.

  Chapter 2

  I get ready for the day expecting to have my mentor sessions as usual. I pull out my heavy winter dress since it’s still quite chilly at the end of January here. I finish placing the last pin in my hair. When there's a knock on my door. I walk over and open it.

  “Good morning Alfred.” I smile at him sweetly.

  “Good morning Miss Lawrence. You will need to pack enough things for several days. There is a representative waiting in the lobby to take you to your mentoring classes with Coventry.” His face grows a bit red.

  “Several days!” I gawk at him like he has lost his mind. “Why is he mentoring me? I thought the teachers here were handling my education.”

  “I’m just the messenger, miss.” Alfred gazes down on me in pity.

  I turn and grab my suitcase and toss my clothing inside. “Will I need uniforms or street clothes?” I call out over my shoulder.

  Alfred clears his throat before answering. “I would take a mix of both.”

  I take a deep breath in and hold it for a count of three and slowly let it back out. Finally, with my bags packed, I peruse my room one last time before shutting the door behind me and then follow Alfred down the stairs.

  Standing in the foyer is a short man with neatly cut brown hair and a sharp-pointed nose. I can tell he’s Empyrean just by the way he presents himself.

  His chest is puffed out, and his nose is in the air. I swear if it rained, he would be one of the first to drown at this rate. We stop in front of him and he scrutinizes me from head to toe with a smug smile on his face.

  I know he is judging me for the house I belong to, but his eyes linger far too long in some places, causing shivers to run down my spine and my guard to go up.

  “Ah, Miss Lawrence I presume?” He peers down his nose at me.

  I glance at Alfred and then back at the man.

  “That’s me,” Bile rises in the back of my throat and I make a mental note to keep my distance as much as I can.

  “Then let’s get on our way, the Praesidium doesn’t like to be kept waiting.” He turns and walks towards the door.

  I follow behind him as we make our way to the entry point for the academy. We step through into the cold flint hills of Kansas, then he reaches over and grabs my hand. Before I can protest, we’re wrapped in a cloud of inky black tendrils and reappear in Stonehenge. I snatch my hand away from the short man and walk through the stone arch and enter Crowfall ahead of him. He catches up to me and grabs my hand again, this time we appear on the front steps of Summit House.

  “Why are we here?” I stop in my tracks and snatch my hand away again.

  “This is where the Praesidium’s office is and he asked that I bring you here.” He rolls his eyes. “Now let’s go.”

  He places his hand on my shoulder this time, instead of trying to take my hand, and we appear outside of a white door. The representative knocks.

  “Enter,” Coventry calls out from the other side.

  We enter the office and he glances up from the book he is studying. “You may leave us now.” He nods to the representative.

  The man bows and walks out, closing the door behind him.

  “Why am I here? Why am I not taking my classes at the academy?” Trying to keep the annoyance out of my voice.

  Coventry raises his eyebrows. “You are here because I requested it. I brought you here so I can further your studies. Now come with me, I want you to get started as soon as possible.”

  I follow him to the back of his office and watch as he pushes against the bookcase. The wall slides to the side, revealing a circular room with floor to ceiling bookshelves. The excitement rises in my chest as I walk over to the closest one. Raising my hand to touch the spines of the books, Coventry speaks up.

  “You are allowed to look, but you can’t touch or remove them from the shelf.” He puffs his chest out. “These books contain the ancient language and you are here to learn how to read them.”

  “How am I supposed to learn to read them if I can’t touch them?” I snap my head around and stare at him. “Who will teach me how to do this?”

  “Have a seat. Your tutors are on their way to start your lessons.” He nods to the round table in the center of the room.

  I walk over and take a seat as Coventry leaves the room.

  I must admit, I’m a little anxious about this. I’m curious to know what new information the books may hold. But on the other hand, I know that whatever new information I learn he will use it against us.

  My eyes dart to the door as an elderly man in a brown robe walks in followed by a tall slender guy around my age. He has silky jet-black hair with red streaks running through it and emerald green eyes. He must be the older man’s apprentice. Coventry walks in and closes the wall behind him.

  “Miss Lawrence, this is your tutor, Brennus, and his young apprentice Treyton. They will teach you how to read the ancient texts. The books are not allowed to leave this room. Your tutors will report back to me on your progress.” He nods then turns and leaves the room ending the discussion.

  Once the wall tightly closes behind him, the tension in the room seems to lift. I turn my attention to the older man and wait for instructions.

  “We will begin with a few basic symbols.” Brennus places a small book in front of me. “These fifteen represent the alphabet.”

  I examine the symbols. They remind me of Egyptian hieroglyphics in a way. There’s a series of squiggly lines, circles, crosses, and dots. I try to hide the shock from my face as the letters’ symbols gain a life of their own. They begin glowing a bright silver as they swirl together across the page and rearrange themselves into the letters I already know. This has to be a by-product of the stone. How else would I be able to do this?

  “These combinations make up the basic alphabet. It’s all written phonetically, so once you master the symbols, you’ll be able to sound out the words.” He coaxes gently making it sound simple.

  I smile and nod at his explanation. We spend the next several hours going over each symbol individually. I pretend to struggle, not wanting to tip my hat. No one needs to know I can already intuitively read the ancient language thanks to the stone.

  “Don’t worry. I know it’s overwhelming at first, but after some time it will all click into place,” Treyton grins. “I can always help you one on one if you would like.”

  “That would be nice.” I stand up and stretch.

  “How about this evening?” His eyes dart up nervously.

  “I’m sure the Praesidium already has plans for her this evening, Treyton. But we can be done for the day.” Brennus chuckles as he rises from his seat and hobbles to the wall.

  He taps on it lightly and waits. A few minutes pass before the wall slides open and Coventry walks in.

  “We are done for the day sir,” Brennus bows slightly.

  “Wonderful, you can resume in the morning.” He nods to the men as they walk out. “Now come Miss Lawrence, it’s time for us to leave.”

  I stand up from my seat and grab my things before foll
owing him out of the library. He grabs his briefcase as we walk by his desk and out of his office. Once outside the building, Coventry turns and offers me his hand.

  “Where are we going?” I stop in my tracks and lean away from him.

  “To my house.” His eyes stalk me like a cat locked in on its prey.

  I step forward and take his hand. It’s cold and clammy but I resist the urge to pull back. When the tendrils clear, we are standing in front of a huge sprawling mansion with a brick circle drive in front and double wooden doors. The butler opens the front door as we walk up the steps. Coventry nods to the man as he walks in.

  “Miss Lawrence, leave your things and follow me.” He motions me forward.

  I stop in my tracks. “Why do I have to stay here? Why can’t I stay at the academy and the tutors train me there?”

  “Because I said so. I need you here, learning this for now. I am your leader, so what I say goes.” He raises an eyebrow as he stares me down.

  I didn’t honestly expect to get a straight answer, but I was hoping.

  “Now, come along,” he says a bit more forcefully.

  “Yes sir.” I follow him, remembering I’m supposed to allow him to collect me. I have a part to play and should at least try to be cooperative.

  Examining his home, it's obvious that he only thinks of himself. A full-size portrait of him hangs above the mantle. I follow him through a set of archways that lead to a long hall lined with glass display cases. I stop momentarily to peek at the various accomplishments contained within.

  “Do you like what you see?” Coventry walks over and stands a little too close.

  “They are nice.” I nod, reminding myself I must play the part if I want to gain the knowledge, we need to defeat him.

  “You just might be destined for greatness,” A cocky grin crosses his face. “Come, I want to show you something.”

  We walk in awkward silence until we reach a set of cream color doors edged in gold. He opens the doors wide, revealing a huge library full of books.

  I walk over to a shelf of books and run my finger along the leather spines, paying attention to the titles.

  Coventry clears his throat to bring my attention back to him.

  “This is where you can continue your academy studies when you are here. Now come, the butler will show you to your room. Dinner is at six and I expect you to dress properly and be on time.” He leers at me before turning and leading the way out of the library.

  My eyebrows shoot up, but I quickly school my face and follow him. The butler is waiting for us in the foyer, he nods at me when we walk up.

  “Show Miss Lawrence to her room and make sure she has everything she needs,” Then he walks off towards a set of double doors.

  I follow the butler to my room. He opens the door, revealing a purple and silver hued room. A queen-size canopy bed positioned in the middle of the room, a small vanity and a dresser sits against the wall.

  I walk in, and the butler closes the door behind me. I notice a large white box on the bed. I lift the lid and inside is a purple dinner gown. Sighing, I sit down on the side of the bed and notice a pair of black kitten heels sitting in front of the nightstand. I glance over at the clock and see that I have forty minutes to get ready.

  I run the brush through my tangled mass of red tresses trying to tame it into somewhat of a decent hairstyle. I sit on the side of the bed, taking a moment to myself. Life has been so upside down for so long. Every time I think I’m getting a grasp on what’s happening, it all changes. I finally start adjusting to being away from my family, which my heart aches just thinking about, to be separated from everyone; isolated to just a few mentors. As soon as I start adjusting to that schedule, Coventry rips me away and throws me into this new environment.

  I miss my guys and my friends. And then there’s Max… He eludes me. One day he is a self-centered player boy, and the next he is stepping up, willing to risk himself for others. It’s such a polarizing shift in his personality I don’t know what to make of it yet.

  Then there is the revolution. It sounds like a good idea, but if I’m being honest with myself, I’m just a teenage girl who doesn’t have a clue what she’s doing. I only know that if I don’t stand up and demand what is fair, who will? Hopefully, the stone will have something to help us because I need a trick up my sleeve.

  I sigh as I stand up then shimmy into the dress. It fits like a glove. If it were any tighter, it would have been impossible to get on alone. I’m careful with the way I bend and sit, one wrong move, and this thing might just rip apart at the seams. Last but not least, I slip on the black kitten heels and walk to the door, thankful they aren’t taller.

  I step out of my room and make my way downstairs, holding on to the railing for balance. Even though they are short, I’m not used to wearing heels at all.

  The butler is waiting at the bottom of the stairs and offers his arm. He leads me to the dining room and pulls my chair out for me.

  “Thank you for joining us, Miss Lawrence. This is my wife, Joceyln.” Coventry nods to the blonde sitting to his right.

  “It’s nice to meet you.” I nod and take my seat.

  “So, you’re Alistar’s new prized project.” She smiles proudly while reaching over to pat him on the arm. “Alistar is always helping any way he can.”

  I try to keep my eyes from bugging out. This woman is oblivious to anything that Coventry has going on. I shift my eyes to Coventry; he’s sitting there with his chest all puffed out and smiling like a cat that ate the damn canary. These two seem to be the perfect match.

  Dinner passes agonizingly slow and I find myself nodding and smiling through much of it.

  The servers bring out course after course as Coventry’s wife drones on about her next book club and how she must prepare for her upcoming charity event.

  By the time the servers bring the last course, I’m stuffed and definitely ready for bed.

  I glance down the table at Coventry. “Thank you for dinner. if you'll please excuse me, I’d like to go to bed.” I cover the yawn that sneaks up on me.

  Coventry nods. “Yes, you will need to be well rested for your studies tomorrow,” he says, a slimy grin crossing his lips.

  I stand quickly and make my way back to my room. I kick off the heels, then slip out of the dress provided by Coventry and leave it piled on the floor. I grab my pj’s and hop in the shower connected to my room to wash off the dirtiness that feels like it’s all over me from being so close to Coventry today.

  After my shower, I climb into bed and quickly fall asleep, waking up in Whisper’s Hollow. I think of Sam, Ryland, Finn, Max, Lydia, and Korbin. Then I see the tiny silver strings running out in all directions. I tug on them one by one, bringing everyone to me.

  I rush over to hug each one of them. “I’ve missed you guys!” I wrap my arms around Sam’s waist.

  “I’ve missed you too,” Lydia rushes over and wraps me in a tight hug before returning to Korbin.

  “Coventry sent a representative to collect me. I was taken to his office and shown his hidden library that holds a massive number of ancient books. He wants me to learn the ancient language. He has brought tutors to teach me,” I reply, letting go of Sam and taking a seat beside Ryland, Max, and Finn under the willow.

  “What do you think he is planning?” Ryland places his arm around my shoulder and pulls me closer to his side.

  “I think he expects me to bring the text to life.” I reach over and twirl one of Max’s curls around my finger.

  “I went home and searched my dad’s office,” Max speaks up from beside me. “It appears he’s been buying up some rundown lots across several different pocket universes. I’m not sure what that, if anything, has to do with what’s going on, but between them forcing the Dissidents to join this ‘army’ he’s creating maybe somehow it’s all tied in… the ancient text, why he’s wanting to build an army, why my dad is buying up rundown properties.”

  There are still so many questions we do
n’t have answers to. If we don’t catch a break soon, I’m worried we may be spending our time one step behind Coventry and that is not the position I want to be in.

  “Bring to life? What do you mean?” Finn tilts his head as he watches me.

  “I don’t know. He won’t tell me why I am there, it’s just a feeling I have. I only know that he kept me in a hidden room with the tutors. I already said that didn’t I.” I shake my head.

  “How long is he keeping you there?” Sam shoves his hands into his pockets.

  “He said several days. I’ll let you guys know if I learn anything new,” I smile mischievously. “How’s things at school?”

  I wake up suddenly, my eyes flying open. I glance around the room uneasily. I feel as if someone is watching me, but nothing seems out of place. Rolling over, I pull the cover up over my shoulders and fall into a fitful, dreamless sleep.

  Chapter 3

  The next morning, I find myself back in the hidden library with several books in front of me. The first one is on ancient history, the second is about pocket universes; the same one Coventry had on display in his house. Why does he want me learning about this? A third book focuses on the Baku. I pick it up and examine the faded leather cover.

  “Would you like to start with that one? I know you will just be sounding out a lot of the words, but I’ll help translate as you do.” Treyton winks at me and butterflies flutter in my stomach.

  Get it together, Whisper. You have four guys waiting for you. I don’t need another distraction right now.

  I open the book and peer at the symbols, willing them to stay symbols. If I outright read it translated, I’ll out myself. I begin sounding out the symbols one at a time.

  “Ah-no-rye me-lo-gah,” I sound out, deliberately, and slowly.

  “The world.” Treyton translates then coaxes me to continue.

  “Va-ah tee-am-on.” I try not to roll my eyes. This would be easier if I didn’t have to play dumb.

  “Full of danger.” Treyton nods, his black hair falling into his eyes. “You’re doing great.