Page 112 of The Bone Season

‘Oh, are you joining me?’

Nuala laid her head in my lap with a huff. As I stroked her velvety ears, I tried to imaginebeingthis deer – running on four legs, living wild in the night.

Scion had done all it could to beat the wildness from me. Perhaps that was the reason I worked for Jaxon. Not just to belong, but to bask in my freedom.

Nuala closed her eyes, content. After a pause, I tested the water. I leaned against the wall before I dislocated, letting my awareness drift.

The dreamscape next to mine was thin and fragile as a bubble. Humans could build layers of resistance – as they aged, or as life callused them – but animals lacked that emotional armour.

I gave her dreamscape the lightest of nudges.

Nuala let out a snort of alarm. I shushed her, feeling a twinge of guilt.

‘It’s okay.’ I stroked her neck. ‘I’m sorry. I won’t do it again.’

The deer tucked her head back into my lap, but she was quivering. She had no idea it was me who had hurt her.

By the time Warden returned, I was still against the most uncomfortable wall in the world, warmed by Nuala. She blinked up at him.

‘You took your time,’ I said. ‘Did you go to Edinburgh?’

‘Not quite. I have found you a host.’

He sat on the wall. Nuala let me up, and I joined him. His skin had more of a sheen by moonlight.

His gloved hands were cupped. When he opened them a little, I looked down to see a pale butterfly, or a moth. It was strange to see hands of such strength used so gently.

‘A common brimstone,’ he said. ‘They rest among the leaves at night.’ He raised his gaze to mine. ‘Are you willing to attempt a possession?’

‘I can try.’

His eyes glowed hot as coals. With one hand, he unclasped his cloak and spread it on the ground for me. After a long moment, I lay down on it.

As I got myself settled, he sat beside me, still holding the butterfly. It always bothered me, to have to leave my body vulnerable.

Warden glanced at me. His eyes were usually like dying embers. Tonight, they were bright enough to cast a slight glow on his cheekbones.

‘I will keep watch,’ he said.

With a nod, I closed my eyes and took deep, slow breaths. Little by little, I relaxed my body, releasing the tension I stored in my jaw and neck, tuning out the chill. Once I felt as if I could float, I withdrew into my dreamscape and walked my spirit to the edge of the poppy field, where it was darkest. The æther waited just ahead.

I jumped. For the first time, I imagined my silver cord as a harness, keeping me safe.

The butterfly was a grain of salt beside the marble that was Warden. I slid into its dreamscape. There was no reactive jerk, no sudden panic from my host.

I found myself in a world of dreams – a world of stained glass, each splinter aglow. The butterfly spent its days among flowers, and all of their colours had fashioned its haven. Since they weren’t voyant, I had thought animals would be like amaurotics, with grey dreamscapes. This kaleidoscope was unexpected.

Rephs had expansive minds, from what little I had seen of them, but here, each step took me into a new ring: hadal, abyssal, midnight, twilight. Even without a mouth, I could feel myself smiling. My spirit longed to walk like this, in strange lands. It had wanderlust.

I was formless here; I saw only a blur when I looked down. When I came to the sunlit zone, I spied a tiny spirit. As I approached, it skittered away.

Now for the real test. If Jaxon had worked this out correctly, stepping on to the right spot would allow me to take control of this body.

As soon as I entered the circle, the sunlight brightened, blinding me. The dream world shattered like a diamond, glinting with rainbows.

For a moment, there was nothing.

Then I was in a private hell.

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