“A wizard of some sort. A warlock perhaps. He had magic like you, but different.”
“Not a vampire or shifter. You’re certain of that?”
“He was not a shifter.”
“Okay.” I blew out a sigh. “How have you been finding them? If you don’t know their names, how can you be certain you’re getting the right people?”
“You never forget the scent of those who killed your last remaining family member.”
Briefly, I shut my eyes. These men deserved her vengeance, but I doubted Steve would see it that way. “What will you do when you’re finished?” I asked.
“There is a door in the lake.”
“A plane door.” I looked at the lake. “You want to go to a different plane.”
“My people have been fleeing this land for years. Many have gone through that door. I wish to join them.”
“Do you have family there?”
“Perhaps. If not, I won’t be alone.”
“Can you open the door?”
“That’s why we were here. We were trying to figure it out. Then the humans came … and now it’s just me.”
I felt sad for her. “I know someone who can help with the plane door.” Scout would have no problem going to the lake and opening a door for the naiad. It would solve a multitude of problems. “I can have her there to open the door for you tomorrow.”
“I’m not ready yet.”
My hopes sank. “You’re going to kill them all?”
“I cannot leave this place until I do.”
“I can’t let you do that.”
“Even if they deserve it?”
“That’s not how things work here.”
“Then I’ll have to kill you too.” Her eyes were dead when they locked with mine. “I don’t look forward to it. If you get in my way, you will fall with them.”
I opened my mouth to argue with her, but she was gone. The dreamscape remained for several seconds, the calm water stretching around me, and then I was plunged back into darkness.
24
TWENTY-FOUR
Landon was spooned behind me when I woke, his breathing soft in my ear. There was no snoring this morning, which told me he was awake and trying to keep me comfortable until the last possible moment before the alarm went off. When I shifted in his arms, his eyes popped open, and he offered me a flirty smile.
“There’s my favorite wife,” he teased, giving me a kiss.
I arched an eyebrow. “What other wives are you basing this competition on?”
He ignored the question and snuggled close. “I’ve been thinking,” he volunteered. “Maybe I should get my workouts another way.”
Under different circumstances I would’ve laughed. I didn’t have the energy today.
“Bay?” He angled his head to look into my eyes. All traces of mirth fled immediately. “What did you dream about this time? It was just a dream, right? You didn’t take off in the middle of the night and fight the naiad without telling me.”
