“Your Dreamer training is being extended another month. Those who were going to end in the coming week are included. At the end of these next three months, a personal evaluation by the Blackdalls will be made.”
A hand went up and the professor tipped his head. “Sir, why is this being enforced now?”
That’s the question everyone was thinking.
“Since our numbers are still low, to ensure your safety, extra training is being required for all newcomers before duty is applied.”
Scarlett glanced around and caught sight of Jayden. Her purple streaked hair was thrown in a bun and her hands were fisted on her lap. She was pissed.
Dreamer training was two months while Dreamer lessons lasted three weeks. Jasper and Jayden still attended lessons even though they didn’t need to. They were going to graduate from all training and get their roles in Ever Realm next week. Scarlett was at the beginning of her training and even she felt the weight of the added time.
“Well, it looks like you’re stuck with me for another month,” Jasper whispered as he winked at Scarlett. She scoffed and hid the small smile that formed.
The professor began the lesson and continued as usual. Scarlett wondered if the added time had anything to do with the cryptic conversations her parents had been having. It most likely did, she’d have to find out what they were.
“As you may know by now, Dreamers do not get to rest. Our duty requires it. While the world sleeps, we keep the nightmares at bay. Making sure they only interfere with the human’s dream state of mind. While nightmares could be rid of altogether, they are necessary for the balance of the Realms.”
The professor’s voice dragged Scarlett out of her thoughts and she decided to pay attention. She’s got to make the most of the next three months' lessons if she’s going to figure anything out.
∞
Scarlett exited the showers and was approached by Jasper. “A few friends of mine are going to hang at the center here, want to come?”
Scarlett threw her hair in a bun and caught sight of Jayden at the entrance of the Activities gym. She gestured for her to hurry.
Returning her attention to Jasper, she sheepishly smiled. “I can’t today, I’ve got something to do with my parents.”
She couldn’t tell him the truth.
“No worries, it’s cool. See you tomorrow Scar.”
Jasper smiled and waved bye as he headed towards a group of guys. They left the gym, leaving Scarlett with the straggling few that stayed. She ran out of the gym door and, Bam!
“Fuck! Seriously watch where you’re going, dude. We’ve got to go or else we’re going to be late.”
“Sorry.” Scarlett winced and shook out her hands.
Jayden shook her head. “Let’s go.”
They walked through Ever Realm when gradually the stars lessened. Scarlett hadn’t been paying attention when she first wandered here. How could she have not seen the darkening edge of Ever Realm? Space before them became pitch black with no stars in the sight. Scarlett stopped in her steps.
The Dark Realm.
Jayden took notice. “Come on, we’re going to… well, I don’t even know what else to call it honestly. Refuge kind of sucks… Dreammare Refuge?” Jayden lifted her shoulders and hands as she tried to explain what to call her second home. She let out a huff when Scarlett didn’t move.
Scarlett didn’t want to go in there. “Do we have to?”
“It’s the only place you can freely use your powers without the possibility of Dreamers seeing you. If they saw, you’d most likely be thrown to the nightmares, who, by the way, don’t like us either. Hence the name ‘Dreammare Refuge.’ We aren’t welcome anywhere else Scar.” Jayden sighed. The situation sucked but there was nothing else that’d be able to be done. They had to live with it for the time being.
Scarlett swallowed the small lump of fear growing in her throat. She didn’t want to go back there. She needed to but didn’t want to.
‘I have to do this.’
Scarlett inhaled and stepped towards the Dark Realm. Jayden grabbed a hold of her hand and intertwined their fingers. As they entered the Dark Realm, Jayden let her power flow from her palm into a circle that surrounded their feet. The darkness swallowed them whole. No one out could see in and no one in could see out.
Scarlett stayed on edge. She kept thinking a nightmare would pop up and her hold on Jayden’s hand tightened. Jayden looked at Scarlett out of the corner of her eyes.
“You’re the first real friend I’ve had you know.”
Scarlett raised a brow. “So, we’re officially friends now?”
Jayden laughed and soon Scarlett joined her. It was working.
“You’re my first too. I wasn’t much of a social butterfly like my sister was. I mainly kept to myself and only knew people on the surface.”
“I was too busy watching over Jasper to care about anyone else. Our dad was nonexistent and our mother passed not long after our birth. I guess, having twins took a big toll on her body. She was the Dreamer and our father didn’t say shit about it. He didn’t care.”
Scarlett took in Jayden’s words and observed her as she spoke. There was more to her than a cold bitchy attitude. It’s how she’s learned to be upon first impressions.
“Anyway, since you’re going to be around more, I should warn, the Dreammare girls are worse than I am.”
“Oh, that’s great.” Scarlett sarcastically threw back.
“Plus, they’re addicted to Cain like drugs, so I’d watch out if I were you.”
Scarlett’s face flamed. “What? Nothing is going on there.”
“Mhm, sure. Deny all you want. There’s something there.”
Scarlett rolled her eyes. “Shut up. Speaking of things that are there, what’s going on between you and…? What’s his name again?” She pretended to think. “Right! Liam. Hmm?”
“That asshole,” Jayden scoffed. “As of right now, nothing. His ass is in the dog house.”
A snort burst from Scarlett. “What’d he do?”
“I caught him getting comfy with another Dreammare. Needless to say, I was pissed.”
“Oh… is he your partner?”
Jayden shut her mouth and let a few seconds pass. “No, he isn’t.”
Scarlett noticed the change and dropped the subject. This wasn’t one to push.
They stayed silent the rest of the way each lost in their thoughts. Soon, they approached the grey ring that hid the Dreammares Refuge.
Upon stepping inside, their eyes landed on Cain. He stood in the middle of the field that was in front of the buildings Scarlett had first walked through. Beside him were two males she recognized as the guards.
Cain held himself tall in his black as night armor and Scarlett found her gaze stuck to him like a magnet. It perfectly hugged his lean muscles and butterflies erupted in her stomach as her eyes met his.
‘Crap.’
Scarlett’s cheeks heated as Cain’s eyes followed her movement. They shone and he knew exactly what her eyes were doing. She warmed at the thought but lightly shook her head. She came here to focus and nothing more.
She moved her sight to Liam who was at Cain’s side. His white hair was shortened to his scalp on the side and longer on the top. Extra metal adorned his blackened yellow armor and on his shoulder was a partially carved wing that lifted. Liam kept his eyes locked on the person beside her. She glanced at Jayden, who stoned her face and paid him no attention. Ignoring her obvious uninterested expression, he kept his sight locked.