Prologue
Twenty-one years ago
Janie snuggled down in her bed, her four-year-old arms wrapped around her favorite stuffed bear. Mr. Mullet snuggled right back, although he didn’t move much. Probably so she could get some sleep and see what was coming. Her recent dreams promised their lives were about to change.
Janie’s dreams always came true.
In the next room, her mama slept quietly. Maybe Janie should warn her. But maybe not.
Bad people were coming, but so were good people. The ones with fangs. Especially the really big man with the golden eyes who she’d one day call daddy. She’d always wanted a daddy, and one with fangs would be nice.
But first, she had to dream again.
So she tightened her hold on Mr. Mullet and sank into a dream world. This one she’d created at the side of a sparkling lake way high up in the mountains. She left the water blue but made the surrounding trees purple.
She loved purple.
Glancing down, she straightened her favorite shirt. White with bright pink flowers in the front, it made her feel pretty. Maybe her new friend would like it, too.
He peered out from behind a tree.
She waved.
Even from across the small distance, she recognized his green eyes. Very deep green eyes. She’d been dreaming about him forever. Maybe even before she got borned.
He slowly stepped out of the trees and walked toward her, glancing all around. This close, he was a lot bigger than she’d thought, and had to be at least five years older than she was. Probably.
“This is a safe place. We’re both asleep,” she said.
He scratched his head, rumpling long black hair. “Who are you?”
“Janet,” she said. “You’re Zane.”
He stopped moving. “How do you know my name?”
She shrugged. “ I dreamed about you. About us being friends and ending the war.”
“What war?” he asked, frowning and looking around again.
“It hasn’t started yet.” But boy, things were about to get bad. “We can meet here in dream worlds where nobody can hurt us.” Janie smiled.
“You’re human?” Zane asked, focusing on her.
“Yep.” She peered closer. “You gots fangs?”
“Maybe.” Zane glanced toward a ripple in the dream, where the trees kind of jiggled funny. He somehow stood taller. “Who’s there?”
Janie swallowed. “Um, it’s another boy, but we won’t let him in yet. He’s bad.”
“How bad?”
“Dunno.” But she knew not to let him in yet. She’d dreamed about Kalin for a while now, too. “But we’ll save everybody we love. I promise.”
Zane focused down on her, his shoulders relaxing. “Janie?”
“Yep. Janet Isabella Paulsen.” If things worked out right, she’d have a new last name soon.
Zane grinned. “You’re too small for that name.”
