Page 64 of Realm of Dreams & Shadows

“Nine o’clock.” He looks at me. “Are you working tomorrow?”

I frown at the non-sequitur. “No. Why?”

“I’ll meet you both in Hamilton Hall at eight forty-five. We’ll head to The Griffin’s Nest together. Griff’s sympathetic to our cause.”

“Mr. Griffin knows about Hunters?” Considering his herb garden and occult collection, I don’t know why I’m surprised.

“He’s a former Hunter,” Chase says, making my head spin. “Retired, but he still helps in other ways. His shop has some of the strongest wards in the city.”

“Former Hunter?” Tia glances at me. “Didn’t see that coming.”

“What made him retire?” I ask.

Something dark flickers across Chase’s expression. “Sometimes the job takes more than you’re willing to give.”

There’s clearly more to that story, but I don’t push. It doesn’t seem right to press Chase to share Mr. Griffin’s secrets.

A few minutes later, we arrive at Hamilton Hall, its facade looking reassuringly normal in the lamplight. Students move in and out of the building, some talking and laughing, others looking like they’re trying to memorize the Periodic Table by morning. It’s plain and normal and real. And it feels utterly strange after everything that’s happened today.

“Tia!”

I turn to see Riley hurrying toward us, her now-purple hair iridescent in the moonlight.

“I was just about to text you. I have an insane ice cream craving. Wanna walk to the food court?”

Tia glances at me, and I see the question in her eyes—Do you still need me to be your wingman?

“Hey, Riley,” I say. “Will you remind her that roomies are obligated to bring back a pint of cookie dough ice cream?”

“Aye aye,” Riley says, whipping off a salute. “So what have you been up to?” I hear her ask, as she and Tia head toward the quad.

“Tia will keep our secrets,” I tell Chase, who’s looking after them, frowning.

He nods. “I know. Tia’s as solid as they come.”

“I think she’s developing a thing for Riley.”

“Hopefully, she won’t get her heart broken.” He meets my eyes. “Sometimes having a thing can be hard to manage.”

Butterflies take up residence in my belly. “Will you walk me up?” I ask, reluctant to let him disappear into the night.

He nods, and we climb the front steps together. In the lobby, a few girls glance our way, clearly checking out Chase.

The elevator ride to the third floor passes in silence. Surprising, considering how loud my pounding heart sounds to me. By the time we reach my hallway, I’m jittery with anticipation, though I’m not sure what I expect. Or, for that matter, what I’m hoping for.

“Well,” I say as we stop outside my door. “Thank you. For tonight. For saving us, and for trusting us with all this.”

“You have to know,” Chase replies. “And you handled it brilliantly. Most people would have run screaming after what you saw tonight. And they wouldn’t believe the truth.”

“Oh, I’m totally planning to run screaming after you leave. I’m just playing it cool.”

His face doesn’t change, but I can see the light of a smile in his eyes. “You do it very well.”

“Thanks.” I slide my hands into my pockets in defense against the urge to reach out and touch him. To ask him to come in and hold me. To keep on protecting me the way he has been—both in and out of my dreams.

Then sanity thwaps me on the head, and I clear my throat. “And—well—thanks in advance for the training. I don’t want this life—I really don’t—but since it’s mine, I’d rather understand what I’m facing than go in blind.”

Something shifts in those stunning eyes, an emotion I can’t quite discern. “You’re braver than you know,” he says.