Page 52 of Realm of Dreams & Shadows

“Not remotely.” I exhale as if I’m pushing out bad air. “Let’s get out of here. Want to hit that all-night coffee place?”

Tia nods, and we make our way toward the French doors at the back of the foyer. The night air is cool and damp, a welcome relief from the stuffiness inside. Only a few other guests are out here, smoking or engaged in quiet conversation, and no one tries to talk to us or stop us from leaving.

By the time we reach The Coffee Beanery, I’ve shaken off most of the icky feeling that lingered after the encounter with Vance and his minions.

“Do you believe him?” Tia asks, once we’re both seated at one of the outdoor tables with foam-topped lattes and warm cookies. Comfort food, and much needed. “About barriers falling? And what does that mean, anyway?”

“Honestly, I don’t know.” But that’s a lie, because right then, all I can think about is thin. About how I keep having that strange sensation that the edges of reality are becoming thin. I guess I was right.

Yay, me?

“I think they’re kinda nuts,” Tia says firmly. “I mean, if there are barriers between realms that are breaking down, we’d look up and some fire-breathing dragon would turn us into ash right here and now.”

She looks up as if expecting that dragon, then shudders, her body sagging as she looks at me. “This is really real, isn’t it?”

“I think so,” I say. “And I’m right in the middle of it, without a clue how to stop it. Or even if I’m supposed to stop it.”

“I’ll help. You know I will.”

“Thanks.”

“Well, you don’t have to thank me. I mean, hell. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep nightmare dragons from turning me into a crispy critter.”

I actually laugh, which feels pretty good. “I meant for being my friend. And holy crap, doesn’t that sound corny?”

She reaches across the table for my hand. “I like the way it sounds. Really. And thanks for being my friend too. I mean, you’re like destined to save the universe. I’m destined for nothing.”

“Nice that you have options, though. I have a feeling I’m pretty much stuck.”

She shrugs. “The grass is always greener…”

And isn’t that the truth?

I take another sip of coffee, then settle back in my chair, wanting to talk, but not wanting to at the same time.

“What?” she says, proving how well she already knows me.

“It’s just…Vance. Do you think—never mind,” I say, firmly cutting myself off.

“What?”

I wave my words away. “Just that he seems trustworthy and completely bogus all at the same time.”

“I think that’s how all leaders of supernatural societies come off.”

“So he’s just normal?”

“Pretty much,” she says with a grin I don’t return. I’m too busy looking at my coffee cup and chastising myself for not asking what I’m really wondering—was it my imagination, or was Vance hinting that he’s my father?

I draw in a breath, ready to give it a second try, but Tia tosses her cup, then stretches. “Should we get going?”

“Probably,” I say, wondering if this is how Luke felt after Darth Vader dumped that paternity bomb.

“What do they think you can do?” Tia asks. “About the barriers falling, I mean.”

“I don’t know.” I glance sideways at her. “I’m going to have to ask, though. I mean, if there’s something I can do to keep nightmare creatures from popping through cracks into our world, I need to do that, right?”

“You’re going back to Vance?”