The dire pronouncement hung in the air, and I felt a prickle along my spine—then I burst out laughing. Father O.’s frown somehow got deeper, etching furrows of shadow into his face, which just made me laugh harder. Eventually, I got myself under control. “Are you out of your goddamned mind? Do you think I’m one of your sheep? That I’d have gone through everything I have and then just bend over and thank you when you literally tell me that you intend to use me?” The old priest stared at me, but I could see his hands trembling against the metal frame of the bed.
“If you want to teach me, if you want to make a weapon out of me, if you think you can still use me, fine. But I’m not going to be ignorant anymore. It’s going to start with you explaining where my mother has been,” I announced.
The anger left the old man’s face, and it drained of color. “Oh, good Lord,” he said, literally looking heavenward. “How can she be back? We killed her years ago.” The machine next to the priest started beeping wildly, and a nurse hustled me out of the room. But I’d be back.
**********
Dana, I’ve spent my entire life battling all of the nightmares that a nasty, scary world could dream up, so I thought that nothing could frighten me anymore. Now I have no job, no home, and no family. I’m terrified. Terrified about what it would mean to lose you forever, terrified for our daughter, and terrified at the idea that my mother is out there, somewhere, plotting. But I can plot too. Father O. has been teaching me about the supernatural world, filling in the enormous gaps in my understanding of how the world works and answering what questions he can about my abilities as a Dreamwalker. The Reddertons are working on our behalf, and I have leverage over the Sons of Perseus. I’m going to find more allies, more power, more knowledge, and I’m going to get our daughter back, if it’s the last thing I do—and I need you, my greatest ally. Please, come back to London. Stand with me, be my beacon, and help me drive back the darkness.
I hit send and stared at the screen of my laptop. Thirty seconds later, emotionally drained, I fell into a deep sleep. I believe that I slayed a vampire and banished a banshee before a buzzing noise woke me ten hours later. I rolled over and picked up my phone. I pressed the little box that indicated that I’d received a text message. The app opened. 1 Message Received—From: Wife. My fingers tapped the icon to open it. I read the message and, once again, three words from Dana changed my world: Julian, I’m pregnant.
The End
I hope you enjoyed reading The Nightmare Maker as much as I enjoyed writing it!
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To find out where Julian’s mom has been, why she took Olivia, and what’s up with Dana’s pregnancy, then look out for Book 3 of The Dreamwalker Chronicles:
Dreamonoligist
Coming Fall 2018
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Dream Job now!
About the Author
Gregory Pettit graduated from the University of Wisconsin – Madison in 2005 and promptly moved to London to live with his Finnish wife. In the intervening years, two children have somehow appeared in his home; they are fed and watered regularly. When not working, writing, or travelling, he scours London for the best rib joints, and attends as many Ealing Trailfinders and NFL games as possible.
Visit Gregory at www.gregorypettit.com, or follow him on Twitter @GregoryRPettit
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