“Lilas found you in dreamland and brought me here. I thought I should tell you before you said anything embarrassing. Anythingelseembarrassing.”
My face lit on fire, which made him laugh. I didn’t understand the how of it, but I didn’t care. He was there and that’s all that mattered.
I reached for him, and he wrapped me up against his chest.
“For real?” I whispered. “You’re more than Dream Kerry?”
“Yep. Well, at least a psychic hologram of me, according to Amanda Greenaway.”
“Amanda’s with you, too?”
“I … am not keeping it together too well, and she came up with this idea to help.” He touched his nose to mine. “Are you still with the djinni? Gemma, angel, baby, I need to know: Are you okay? Has he— Has he—”
I knew what he was asking and hurried to put him out of his misery.
“He hasn’t touched me. He hasn’t handed me over to his master. I’m fine. I’m comfortable and uninjured. He even bought me some yarn and crochet hooks to keep me busy, but that’s probably because he wanted to shut me up for a bit. He says I talk too much.”
“Are you telling the truth?” His arms tightened around me.
“Sweetheart, this setting is proof enough. If I were being tortured and molested, would I be able to dream of sunbathing on the beach? I swear to you, the only thing hurting me is being separated from you.”
I tangled my fingers in his hair. It was much longer and messier than usual. Leaning back a little, I studied him.Bloodshot eyes, gaunt cheeks under rough whiskers, lines of exhaustion carved into his skin…
He isn’t taking care of himself at all.
“You know I’m looking for you, right?” he asked.
“Of courseI do, but I’m worried about you. Are you being careful?”
“No, I’m not being careful!” he growled. “I’ve been to Hell, fought giants, blown hundreds of thousands of dollars, cashed in favors, called in markers—”
I laid my fingers against his lips.
“I’m sorry I’m causing you so much trouble. I know you’re agonizing about my safety, and I want you to stop. Darius has every reason to take good care of me. He’s been very sweet, actually.”
“He better take care of you. You can’t know how I felt when I saw him ’port away with you at City of the Future.” His eyelashes grew wet, and a tear slipped from the corner of his left eye.
Oh, my love. You’re breaking my heart!
“Where is he keeping you?” he went on before I could speak. “Can you tell me anything to help me find you?”
I opened my mouth, but no words came out. Startled, I tried again, but still nothing.
“He’s bound you to silence?”
“I guess so.” I touched a hand to my throat, disturbed to know that. “I was close to drained and slept for a long time. Days, I think. He told me it’s a safe place. A warded place. Oh, and he’s very familiar with it.”
“Well, that narrows it down some, I suppose.”
“If it helps,” I murmured, “I think he hates this. Using me as a hostage, I mean.”
“Good. Maybe his conscience will bother him enough to let you go.”
“Myconscience has been killing me.” My face crumpled. “I’m sorry, Kerry. I’m so, so sorry!”
He knew right away what I was apologizing for.
“Hush. I overreacted, as usual.”
