Sweet Dreams

by J. Clarice

  “Something else has risen to our suspicions from the attack.” Official Samsus glanced out of the corner of his eye to the shut double doors on their left. “We have reason to believe one of our own is a mole.”

  Scarlett cocked her head and lifted her hand to stop the Official. “You think a Dreamer sided with those in the Dark Realm?”

  He grimly agreed. “The High Nightmares managed to sneak on our guards and out of the walls without our knowledge and no alarms were triggered. That could only be done if someone with authorization aided.”

  “Gather a list of all those authorized.” The room startled at the sound of Cher’s raspy yet firm voice. “I want them all before me so I can question them myself.”

  No one objected. She was a widow with a fresh wound and out for any bit of revenge she could get her hands on. Cher Blackdall stared every Official down as her eyes moved across the room. Wherever she’d gone, she was back.

  “Right now, as we are weakened, they will try and strike again. We must be ready. I want every available Dreamer out training and preparing for war.”

  Nods followed throughout the room as the Officials straightened themselves and lifted their heads. Scarlett saw the impression her mother had on them. She’s their leader and they follow her, in trust that she will guide them. Warmth spread through Scarlett at the sight of her mother rising and taking charge. She knew she wouldn’t nearly be as great a leader as her mother was. These were her people.

  “Include the Havened Ones.”

  A pause filled the room as the Officials quieted their rustling and stared at their leader. Official Samsus pursed his lips. “Miss, we haven’t communicated with the Havened in so long. We agreed to leave them to their peace.”

  The Havened Ones were Dreamers that passed on Earth, but their minds made it through the window. They’re the ones that wanted to continue in peace away from the Dreamers still alive, therefore they’ve lived on their own neighboring Ever Realm. There aren’t many of them as most Dreamers that pass on Earth don’t want to continue. To those, if it’s their time there, then it’s time.

  “Official Samsus, we are at the end of our rope.” Cher stood and towered over the Officials as she placed her hands on the table. “If we are going to stand any chance against the Dark Realm and whoever the hell is leading them, we are going to need every Dreamer we can get.”

  The Officials accepted the idea and discussed what else they’d be able to do. Scarlett listened when a lightbulb went off the top of her head. She abruptly rose and startled everyone.

  “The Dreammares.” She blurted as she cut off what they were discussing.

  The Officials’ eyes widened with horror as their voices broke out in refusal at the appalling mention.

  “Are you mad?!”

  “We possibly couldn’t!”

  “Not a chance!”

  Their objections fell flat on Scarlett’s ears. She was already forming it in her mind. Cher’s brows knitted as she observed her.

  “Silence.”

  Some Officials gaped at her as their feathers were ruffled. They stayed seated as displeasure ran through them while others settled thinking of the possibility.

  “Where does this come in?” Cher asked Scarlett with interest. She wasn’t fond of the idea, but she wasn’t against it either. As unruly as Dreammares could be, Ever Realm needed all the help they could get.

  “They have powers that Dreamers don’t have access to and can easily defeat Nightmares. Their numbers, although small, will give us an advantage against the Dark Realm.” Scarlett explained as she made eye contact with every Official before landing on her mother and Grandma Ruth. “You said, we’d need all hands on deck. What better hands, than of those with the natural powers?”

  Cher’s lips quirked upward and gave Scarlett a small nod. She smoothed herself and faced the Officials. “As absurd as an idea it may sound, my daughter does have a point. Old biased methods won’t work with the upcoming war. It’ll be the end of us all.”

  The Officials didn’t argue. They knew she was right.

  Official Samsus stood and bowed to his leaders. One by one, the others rose and followed suit.

  “We will stand together; Dreamers, Half, and Havened. We will make it through.” All of the Officials’ armor collars glowed in sync with Cher’s and Grandma Ruth’s. Scarlett looked down and found hers brightening. She'd officially joined.

  “Scarlett, you will be in charge of recruiting the Dreammares. While Official Samsus, I leave you in charge of the Havened. The rest of you make sure everyone is well and accounted for. I will be speaking in a few hours so have them prepping. You have until my announcements to recruit the Dreammares, Scarlett.” Cher swept her gaze around the room and made eye contact with everyone.

  “We prepare for war.”

  Twenty-Five

  Scarlett left as soon as the meeting was finalized. There was no time to spare. She made her way to Jenna’s to check on her before she went to the Refuge. She hadn’t seen her sister since their father’s death.

  Jenna’s yellow dome came into view and Scarlett beelined for the front door. She turned the knob and it wouldn’t budge.

  ‘It’s never locked.’

  Scarlett walked around the side to where her room was located. She exhaled in relief as the glass door quietly slid open. Inside, everything was incredibly silent which caused Scarlett’s stomach to fill with the beginnings of unease. She made her way to the living room and found it neatly in place as if no one had been there for a while.

  “Jenna?”

  “She isn’t here.”

  Scarlett swiftly spun in the direction of the croaking voice. Chad stepped out from the hall next to the kitchen. His blonde hair was tousled and he wore a dark blue t-shirt with a stretched neck collar and a pair of grey sweats. Purple bags lined under his eyes which barely stayed open and his skin was pasty. Scarlett gasped at the sight.

  “Chad, what happened!?” She rushed towards him and wrapped her arm around his shoulders. He looked like he’d tip over any second.

  “Just a minor injury during the battle.” He weakly laughed. Scarlett couldn’t see the cause of his state until the corner of his shirt shifted. She hesitantly reached for it and peeked under. Chad’s torso was wrapped in thick gauze that was soaked with blood, pus, and sweat.

  “You call this minor?” Scarlett paled. “How did you get this?”

  “Nightmares.” Chad coughed through chapped lips and turned away from Scarlett.

  ‘He’s lying.’

  His blonde hair matted to his forehead with sweat. The attack may have been two days ago but there was no way his wound could be this fresh. She led him to the couch and eased him onto the edge. Chad groaned and winced as Scarlett laid him down. She cautiously lifted his shirt and gave another peek under the gauze. A long gash diagonally started from the bottom of Chad’s ribs to the edge of his belly button. It oozed pus and blood but wasn’t deep enough to have gutted him. He wouldn’t be alive if it had.

  “Chad, where’s Jenna?” Scarlett breathed out as she recovered his wound.

  He stiffened at the mention of her name but quickly relaxed. Scarlett caught it. “I haven’t seen her since your father’s death. Jenna’s completely closed herself off and withdrawn. Scarlett… she’s not the same.”

  His voice broke as he finished and Scarlett shakily inhaled as she held herself still. “I’m sure she’ll come around Chad, just give her some time. Right now, you need serious help.”

  A tear slid down Chad’s cheek and his face contorted with pain. Scarlett grabbed the collar of her armor. It lit up and the voice of one of the Officials filled Scarlett’s ears.

  “Official Alich, Miss.” The voice surrounded her and she kept her eyes on Chad who wasn’t able to hear anything.

  “I have Chad by my side with critical injuries, I need medical treatment immediately.”

  “They’re on their way. Is there anyone else with you?”

  “No, ther
e isn’t.”

  They ended the call and Scarlett stayed by Chad’s side until help arrived. His breathing was staggered as he shifted in and out of consciousness. The front door busted open and four Dreamers stormed through, two carried a stretcher while the others carried medical bags.

  “We’ve got him from here.”

  “Please, help him.”

  “He’ll be under good care, Ms. Blackdall.” A voice she knew all too well reached her ears as she saw Official Samsus enter the door. He wore his Official armor and nodded.

  Scarlett glanced back at Chad and wrung her hands as they loaded him onto the stretcher. She grabbed a hold of his hand as they exited the home.

  “Everything’s going to be okay.” She whispered before letting go and watching the Dreamers carry him away.

  “Official Samsus.” She addressed.

  He appeared beside her with his hands loosely at his sides.

  “You know, don’t you?” Scarlett asked, getting straight to the point.

  “I was closest to your father and he confided in me, what he couldn’t in others.” Official Samsus spoke the words heavily.

  “What was my father keeping from me, Samsus?” Scarlett stared at the darkening space of Ever Realm. It was no longer bustling with Dreamers. No more laughter, loud chatter, Dreamers’ flying, running, or walking out in the open. They were either dead or taking refuge at the Center.

  “You are not one of us Scarlett. Not a Dreamer and neither a normal Dreammare. That tiny mark on the inside of your armor’s collar separates you as so.”

  “It’s just a mark, everyone’s armor has them.”

  Official Samsus lightly shook his head. “You don’t understand, you became a Dreamer with a mark already on your armor. No one else has any sort of marking on their armor unless they’ve earned it. When your parents defeated Edgar, the last words he spoke to them were, ‘The One with the Mark will be the end of it all.’ They thought it was nonsense until you transitioned.”

  Scarlett knitted her brows. “The end of what? And why would a mark matter?”

  “Edgar tapped into a power that had every reason to not be messed with. He traded his sanity for it and it granted him the one thing he wished; to find a way to make the Dark Realm rule above all the others. It gave him the power to communicate with Nightmares and make them form a community. It also gave him notice of the one thing he needed.” Official Samsus looked at Scarlett with saddened eyes. “A Dreammare with enough power to be able to make a rip between any Realms he wished.”

  ‘Earth and Ever Realm.’

  “Me? With what power? I’ve seen others more powerful than mine.” As she spoke, her mouth filled with a bitter taste as the incident before the attack came to mind. She’d only been a three-week-old Dreammare and managed to overpower Cain’s. “Even if I did possess such power, I wouldn’t help the Dark Realm destroy our Realms.”

  “It’s untapped and we don’t know what or how it’s activated. But Scarlett,” Official Samsus hesitated before finishing what he started. “For what Edgar wanted you for, you wouldn’t be needed alive. They’d need you dead.”

  ∞

  The Dark Realm was colder than usual and lacked life. Before it was noticeable and the danger that radiated off the nightmares would surround Scarlett but now, it was gone.

  ‘Where’d they go?’ Thought Scarlett as she navigated the darkness. The tug of the Refuge pulled and guided her to where she needed to head.

  Official Samsus words rang in her ears.

  “They’d need you dead.”

  Her father was trying to protect her from the horror and fear that seated itself in her chest. She felt her ball of power darken and push into the depths of her consciousness. A whole Realm wanted her lifeless mind.

  Scarlett let out shaky breaths and refocused on the task at hand. She needed the Dreammares to join the fight. Everyone was at risk if they didn’t.

  She hadn’t seen any of the others since the battle. After she became surrounded by Dreamers, she lost track of the faces she’d seen. She did look around when they finally dragged her off her father and didn’t see anyone she knew. They’d left and a part of Scarlett flared with annoyance. The most powerful beings she knew. They could’ve done more.

  The grey wall stood as high as Scarlett could see. Seems Cain rose it even higher. Scarlett had flown and lowered herself to the ground once it came into sight. She advanced with determination in every step. She wasn’t going to leave without getting a ‘yes’.

  There was no one around and Scarlett could feel the lethal power radiating from the Refuge’s wall. Instead of making her cringe, it called and the tug in Scarlett intensified. She cautiously placed her hand on the wall and pushed through. The cold from the Dark Realm was pushed from her body as she stepped inside.

  Steeled grey eyes met Scarlett and her breath caught as she stared at Cain. Of course, he knew she was there, she wanted him too.

  He wore his black armor that’d gotten cleaned off since the last she’d seen him. His hair ruffled and his pale face was clear of any imperfection. A helmet hung off the side of his waist and a sword decorated the other. Behind him, Trevor and Liam sported the same seriousness. They wore helmets that covered every inch of their face except for their eyes and the open slit for their mouths. Trevor’s waist and thighs were lined with knives while Liam cradled a crossbow in his arms and arrows across his back and waist.

  They screamed of death.

  “Scarlett.” Cain’s deep voice resonated within her bones and she returned her hard gaze to him.

  “We need to talk.”

  Cain’s eyes flashed, already knowing. “Follow me.”

  He turned towards the buildings that laid behind them and walked, not waiting for Scarlett. She held her head high and strode past Trevor and Liam. They turned their heads as she passed before resuming guarding the wall.

  As they walked, Scarlett glanced around. Pairs of Dreammares guarded other points of the wall and each held weapons of their own. It wasn’t only the Dreamers that were on edge.

  Dreammares were scattered across the buildings and eyed Cain and Scarlett as they passed. They reached the tall black building at the center of them all. The last time Scarlett was there was when Jayden first brought her to the Refuge. It seemed like it’d been months ago when in reality, it was just a month.

  They walked past the lounge and flew up the elevator shaft to the top floor where she’d first encountered Cain in Ever Realm.

  Landing on the floor a few seconds behind, Cain was nowhere in sight but the only door down the hall was wide open. Scarlett moved through and entered a small hall. A few steps down, it widened to a penthouse that expanded to two floors. Scarlett entered a modern living room with a kitchen/bar right beside the hall. It was filled with black leather couches that matched the dark tones that filled his home. There was another open area behind the living room that led to a staircase and a small hallway. Beside it, was opened glass double doors that gave way to a metal railed balcony.

  Looking damaged as ever, Cain stood in front of the railing and Scarlett's fists whitened at the conflicting feelings that swirled inside her.

  ‘Focus.’

  Taking a deep breath, she approached Cain who faced the view with his arms crossed.

  “How’s your mother?”

  Scarlett's words caught in her throat at his question. ‘Did he even care?’

  “She’s leading the best she can.” She shook her head and got back to business. There would be no sidetracking. “I didn’t come here for the small talk. There are things I need to know.”

  “There is nothing you need to know of.”

  “Shut up.” Scarlett snapped. “I know, Cain. I know what you and my father didn’t want to tell me. I know about what Edgar said, I know that they need me. What I need to know is exactly why and I know that you know the exact answers to everyone’s questions about this.”

  Cain stayed silent and uncrossed his arms. She saw the
veins pop from his throat as he ticked his jaw. Good. She wanted him to get mad.

  “You’re a coward.” Scarlett bitterly laughed. “I was wrong to think you could actually be as highly as everyone deemed you to be. You’re no better than whoever’s leading these attacks. Hiding behind the secrets you don’t say shit about.”

  Scarlett sneered at Cain and twisted away from him. She’d only made it a step before a hand wrapped around her arm and yanked her back. She was pulled flush against Cain and she stared up at his seething face. Scarlett could feel the heat and anger radiating off his body.

  “You think I’m okay with all of this? Okay with all these attacks and putting my people at risk?”

  “You don’t seem to be doing shit about it, so yes, I do.” Scarlett spat as they glared at each other.

  “I created this place because Dreammares were being hunted by the nightmares. While the Dreamers disliked us, the nightmares began to seek us out. Ever since this place, they haven’t been able to get hands-on a single one. I’m doing everything I fucking can to keep my people safe.”

  “And what about the people out there?” Scarlett pointed out past the Refuge’s wall and her body quivered with indignation. “What about the people out there? The young and injured Dreamer’s left to fend for themselves? They’re being snuffed out by the Dark Realm and you’re just going to stand by and watch it happen?”

  Cain didn’t respond.

  “Fucking answer me!” Scarlett didn’t care of who heard anymore as she stepped back from Cain. She was going to lay her part down. She was through with all of the bullshit that’s gotten them nowhere but into trouble.

  ‘To think, they wouldn’t let history repeat itself.’

  “We need your help in this war and keeping your mouth shut is what’s going to get everyone killed! If we worked together instead of hiding these damn secrets, we’d have a chance at winning the war headed our way.”

  Cain’s shoulders tensed and Scarlett knew he was reaching the end of his rope.

  “Stop hiding.” She pushed.

  Cain growled through clenched teeth as he jumped into the air and flew away from Scarlett. She wasn’t letting him get away and followed. He flew to the field they used to train on and landed with a force that caught everyone’s attention.