“Jayden, please, no one tells me anything here. One way or another, I’m going to know.”
Scarlett awaited Jayden’s answer and watched her glance around. She was weighing the decision.
“You didn’t hear it from me okay,” Jayden hesitated. “Cain is your partner. Hearing another person talk that way about their partner would be enough to drive a Dreammare mad. It comes from the nightmare side which is the most possessive over their territory.”
The words washed over Scarlett like a cold splash of reality. It explained a lot. A part of Scarlett hummed with warmth at hearing it out loud, but the other was terrified of what it meant. She didn’t know.
“How… how do you know?”
“Things were different between you two. I’ve seen it before when other Dreammares found their partner and you guys were throwing off all the signs. I’m pretty sure even Trevor and Liam know.” Jayden shrugged it off as if it weren’t much.
Scarlett weakly nodded and tried to collect herself. “We’re partners.”
Jayden took notice of Scarlett and got off the wall. “Hey it’s not a bad thing, sure he can be a little cold sometimes, but I’m sure you two will come together sooner or later. Nothing needs to come of it right away anyway. You initiate it when you’re ready.”
“Initiate it?”
“Scarlett have you not been paying attention during lessons?” Jayden rolled her eyes. “Have sex.”
‘Sleep… with Cain.’
Scarlett froze and her mouth dropped open. “Not happening any time soon. Hell, probably never.” Scarlett waved her arms around. “This conversation is over, I’m leaving.”
She turned and began walking away from Jayden.
“Whatever floats your boat and you’re going the wrong way, princess.”
Scarlett turned around and walked past a waiting Jayden. She grumbled under her breath and looked up at the black space above them. ‘Well shit, I’m Cain’s partner…’
Nineteen
The discovery haunted Scarlett.
It stayed in her mind as she retreated to Jenna’s home and woke up back on Earth. She hasn’t spotted her parents and doesn’t know if she’d even be able to face them after knowing about Cain. She knew they wouldn’t approve. The hostility between them was clear but what else could she do about it?
Her head throbbed from her raging thoughts.
Activities gym had ended and Jasper and Jayden needed to do something, leaving her alone. There was no training either. Jayden must’ve known she needed the day off. Scarlett could go to Jenna’s but decided to explore the Center. Maybe she’d find some answers.
Scarlett made a right when she exited the school instead of going straight like she normally did. A decent amount of Dreamers hung around. They were the ones that either lived on the other side of the world where it was night or simply wanted to stay. She kept to herself as she passed them and entered the main building. The circle desk she’d first seen Ren at was empty with no line of people.
‘No one’s here…’
Maybe her parents were somewhere in the building. She caught sight of the elevator shafts at the other end of the room and stepped deeper into the reception. As she passed the desk, the slamming of a door bounced off the walls. Scarlett quickly whipped around and found Ren exiting from one of the rooms.
Her red bob was messy and she rubbed her eyes and cheeks. ‘Was she crying?’
“Hey, are you alright?”
Scarlett’s voice startled Ren and made her jump. “Oh! Scarlett, I didn’t see you there. What are you doing here?”
Scarlett lightly shrugged. “I was hoping to find my parents, I haven’t seen them in the last couple of days.”
Ren stared as if on pause before she vigorously nodded her head. “I see, it’s been a little bit trying recently with the situation that’s been arising. They’re just a little bit busier than normal trying to keep everything controlled.”
Ren widened her eyes as if she’d said too much and Scarlett narrowed her eyes. “What ‘situation’? And what are they trying to control?”
Scarlett read Ren’s wandering eyes and observed her as she quickly neared. “I’m not supposed to tell anyone.”
“I promise, I won’t tell anyone you told me. Please?”
Ren skeptically looked at Scarlett before she let out a sigh. “They’ve been having trouble with the nightmares, apparently there has been rising activity.”
“What do you mean? And why?”
“They don’t know but they suspect it might be because of…” Ren glanced around before moving her head closer to Scarlett’s. “A new Dreamer.”
Scarlett slightly stiffened but didn’t let her expression betray that she might’ve known something. “A new Dreamer? How could that be possible?”
Ren’s eyes narrowed the tiniest bit before she widened them like a doe. “I don’t know. If I hear something, I could let you know?”
“Yes, that’d be great. Thank you, Ren.”
Ren’s expression turned cheery as a smile spread across her face. “Of course! In fact, would you like to come with me to check if your parents are here?”
Scarlett was about to say yes when an unease settled in her stomach. Ren noticed her hesitation and her cheeriness began to dull. “I’ll pass on today, I think I’m going to go home.”
Ren looked as if she wanted to say something else but instead repaired her smile. “No worries, see you around Scarlett.”
Scarlett turned and walked towards the building's main doors. Before she exited, she glanced back to find Ren staring after her, Scarlett gave her a small smile and a wave. Ren returned the smile.
As Scarlett let the door close behind her, she could’ve sworn Ren’s hands were fisted at her sides. Scarlett didn’t get to dwell on the thought when she felt a wisp touch on the back of her mind. Scarlett briefly closed her eyes and instantly knew who it was.
She stepped off the star and walked in his direction. He knew she was coming, he called her after all.
“Cain.”
He blended into the dark space of Ever Realm with his black armor and observed from afar. He wasn’t exactly welcome there.
“We’re training today.”
“Training? There is no training today.” Scarlett crossed her arms.
“I didn’t ask and your training with Jayden is not today. You’re training with me.”
Scarlett stared up at Cain who gave no window to his thoughts. Without warning, Cain turned and began walking towards the blackened edge of Ever Realm.
“Hey! Where are you going?”
“We’re training.” He threw back. She scoffed and uncrossed her arms as she ran to catch up. ‘Pompous ass.’
Cain led Scarlett into the Dark Realm and to the Refuge. He peeped not a word and Scarlett didn’t try to converse. Quite frankly, she wasn’t in the mood either. Her thoughts were all over the place.
They entered the grey ring and walked to the middle field where it was a good ways away from the buildings and the edge of the Refuge. Just the two of them.