“Maeve?” I squint in her direction.
She nods. “It’s me. I mean the real me. I used your parents’ Hitch and Cast spell to enter your dreams. Not an easy feat for an animator, I might add. This type of magic is like using my left hand to write. I can do it, but it’s fucking draining and inefficient. I’m just relieved it finally worked.”
My best friend is really standing in front of me! I bound off the couch and yank her into a tight hug.
“Yeah, yeah. I love you too,” she says, hugging me back. “So you’re still alive. That’s good news.”
I straighten and lift my chin. “I am. At least for now. I rescued Damien and challenged the queen. My first trial is the day after tomorrow.”
Maeve blows out a full breath. “Goddess protect you, Eloise.”
I nod, refusing to give my anxieties a voice. Damien and I are together now. After last night, I’m more convinced than ever that we’re meant to be. Nothing can stop us. “I will compete. I will win. Valeska will rue the day she took Damien from me.”
Her eyes glisten as she says, “That’s exactly what’s going to happen.”
“Thank you for risking the spell. It means everything to me to see you today.”
Maeve frowns. “Unfortunately, there’s something else I need to tell you.”
“Oh?” Shit. Of course there is. And it must be important for her to risk walking into my dreams to tell me.
“If… I mean when you win, you can’t come straight home to Harcourt Manor.”
“Why not?”
“The FBI found Jared’s car in the caverns under your house. They’ve been searching for you for weeks. They’ve sent certified letters. They’ve visited my office on more than one occasion. I told them I didn’t know where you were. It’s the only answer I could give. It’s true. I don’t know exactly where you are. If I did, I might be compelled to contact you. Anyway, they seem to believe me. They’ve been asking about you all over Echo Mills though. And as of yesterday, you’re officially a missing person.”
I sigh. “Great. I’ll have to come up with one hell of a story when I get home.”
“There’s more.”
I frown.
“The Denardis know Jared’s dead. His body was never found, but he never checked in. Nick Denardi visited my office. He’s less convinced I’m telling the truth about not knowing where you are. In any case, he’s been asking around Echo Mills for you as well.”
“Both the FBI and the mob? I’m a popular lady.”
She gives a maniacal laugh. “You don’t know the half of it.”
“There’s more?”
“Vampires. The woods around your place are crawling with them.”
I wave a hand through the air. “Valeska knows who I am. She compelled Damien to reveal my name before I challenged her. I’m sure she sent vampires to kill me before I showed up right in front of her.”
Maeve massages her eyes under her glasses. “I don’t think she’s called them off though, hon. Some of these hired guns are paid in advance, and they don’t stop until the job is done.”
“Oh. So what you’re saying is, on top of the FBI wanting to question me and the mob wanting to torture me to find out what happened to Jared… and then likely finish the job of trying to kill me that Jared started, vampire assassins might be waiting in the wings even if Valeska is dead?”
She nods. “That’s why I’m here. If you… I mean when you win, come to my apartment, not Harcourt. We’ll figure out a plan together.”
I drift toward the fire. I know it’s a dream, but it feels warm, comforting. “Thank you for letting me know,” I say toward the flames.
“I’m so sorry, Eloise. I know it’s a lot?—”
I whirl back to her. “No, really, thank you. When it’s done, I’ll call you first before I come home.”
She blows out a breath. “Exactly.”
