A crazy thought. One that she hesitated to share with humans.
Is that all?
The disappointment in Polaris's voice compelled Eva to share details she hadn't planned. It was never comfortable, making yourself vulnerable—especially to a creature who saw your kind as enemies.
Only right now it felt necessary.
"It feels like my dream of the herd lands. If I stretch out my hand just a little, I feel like I will be there. The grass against my fingers. The wide-open field that goes on forever. It calls to me."
Eva's voice turned dreamy, her eyes sliding half closed. She reached out her hand, the image in her mind coming closer.
Stop her or she'll be lost,Polaris thundered.
Eva blinked slowly, falling deeper into the connection.
The feel of ground beneath her feet pulled her forward. A soft breeze against her face.
Voices hummed. Their urgency barely reached her. She needed to get to that place. It was vital she didn't delay any longer.
Sharp teeth nipped at her ankle, drawing blood. Eva snapped out of her dreamlike state.
"Ouch, what was that for?"
I warned you against falling off,Sebastian said.
"I was nowhere close to that."
She resented the assertion. Her seat was as steady as it had ever been. Not even a wobble that would hint at a fall.
How was I to know? You weren't answering.
Eva wanted to argue but couldn't. Her recollection of the last few minutes was hazy. Nor could she remember him calling her.
If true, it was troubling and pointed to that place being more dangerous than she'd considered before. If it had such a strong grip on her that nothing else mattered, she would have to be on her guard against it. It would be too easy to fall to a place where she couldn't be retrieved from.
We'll be out of the mist soon. Try not to get into any more trouble,Polaris ordered.
Eva made a face in his direction. This was partially his fault. She never would have opened the connection as wide if he hadn't asked about what she saw.
So really, she wasn't to blame. He was.
We're approaching the boundary now,Theo interrupted.
Eva, don't let go.Sebastian's warning came just in time.
A disorienting sensation spread through Eva's body, quickly growing until she couldn't tell up from down.
She blinked at the world in front of her, struggling to make sense as vertigo stole her balance.
Eva clung to the oh shit strap for dear life, barely able to lift her head. Finally, she lost the battle, her fingers losing their grip as she sunk into unconsciousness.
Eva, wake up. We're out.Sebastian's voice intruded into the strange dream she was having about an opossum kissing Eva's face and telling her she was so glad to meet her.
How much longer is the human going to sleep?Theo complained.
"I'm awake." Eva lifted her head, still groggy as she took in her surroundings.
Golden sunshine had replaced the dreary gray of the mist. A mountain ridge marched in front of her, its steep hills a contrast to the flat ground where Sebastian had landed while she'd been unconscious.
