Page 72 of Wake the Dream

The power swelled, a bright green glow emanating from Yelena’s shirt, set down adjacent to the workstation. A snap of sound followed before the air was sucked out of the room.

Sound returned with a pop and when Illaria blinked, Caryss smiled, her iron teeth terrifying in the shadows. “We have a winner, kids.”

“I thought you said this wouldn’t work?” Illaria found herself saying. She stuck a finger in her ear and wiggled it when her voice sounded distorted.

“Yes, well, sometimes the elements surprise even me.” Caryss paused to wave a hand and dispel the smoke, the tendrils twining around her palm before dissipating. “I’ve got a lead on your sister. You see the crystal?”

Every crystal in the room had risen into the air, points directed toward the map.

“Yeah, which one?”

“Doesn’t matter. They point to the same place. The park.”

Illaria started, a chill shooting down her spine. “Crow Point?”

“You got it.”

“Right over there? In town?”

“Did I stutter, girl? Yes, Crow Point. Right over there,” Caryss mocked. “That’s where the magic leads. Strange how it chose this time to respond... Listen to me or not, but what I’m telling you is the truth. Now, let’s talk about the very strange birthmark on your lower back.”

The weight of gravity pressed down on Illaria. “Sorry. We have to go. Kieran?”

He stood blinking, as though he couldn't believe what he had seen, shaking his head. “Yes, of course. I’m coming with you.”

Her heart contracted with grief. She could feel her lungs fight for air in the narrow confines of the staircase, the sting of tears behind her eyes at the thought of seeing Yelena. So close. How could she be so close?

And how could Illaria live with herself if Caryss was wrong?

Her insides in turmoil, she couldn’t be sure which emotion to trust. Happiness? Desperation? Neither of them felt safe.

Caryss’s deep-throated chuckle followed them down the stairs as they raced toward the park. Whatever parting words she had for the pair were kept to herself. Illaria didn’t have the patience to hear them.

“Try not to get your hopes up,” Kieran warned, jogging after her, his arms pumping at his sides.

“I’m trying—and failing.”

He grabbed her elbow to keep her from getting too far ahead. “Slow down. What are you going to do when you see her?”

“If she really is there, you mean?” Illaria drew in a deep breath. “Hug her. Strangle her. I’m not sure.”

She couldn’t stop her feet from trying to sprint. Pump faster and faster like she was in the last leg of a marathon. Her wings would have come in handy if she’d been able to call them. Whatever blockages kept her from accessing her magic, she hoped they hit the road fast.

“We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it, I guess,” she finished.

“Try to slow your heart. No one is going to benefit from you hyperventilating and passing out.”

“Sure. I love the way you’re always so reasonable. Are you going to tell me what price you paid for this? What you said to Caryss to get her to cooperate after she refused the first time I went to her for help?”

Kieran stopped walking, forcing Illaria to turn to face him. His face became a blank mask, inscrutable and impossible to read even with her innate intuition. “You don’t want to know.”

They stared at each other in silence for longer than she felt comfortable with. The rest of the town continued living life around them. Birds still flew across the pristine blue expanse of sky. The shops were open for business, with tourists window shopping and monsters hiding in plain sight.

But to Illaria, there was only Kieran. Kieran and his reluctance to tell her his price.

“I don’t like the way you’re lying to me,” she said slowly.

He ducked his head to break eye contact. “Just because I’m not telling you everything doesn’t make it a lie.”

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