Dream Walker

Chapter 37 | The Vow

Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they aren't after you.

Callie's memory failed to recall the origin of the quote, but it persisted nonetheless. Her suspicion of Arabella, of Alex, of everyone had been proved correct. Everyone lied to protect themselves. She did, anyway. Knowing an underground society was paying close attention to her life should have only increased her paranoia.

Her eyes flicked away from the woman kneeling beside the bed to search for Alex. She found him standing a few inches from the bed, as if he couldn't decide whether he wanted to sit next to her or distance himself.

"What's going on?" Her throat was dry, and her voice came out in a hoarse whisper. As she wetted her lips with her cracked tongue, she thought she tasted a hint of sweet honeysuckle.

She looked down to her arms to see the wounds had closed to faint pink lines. As she watched, they seemed to fade from the pink of new skin to the white of an old scar. There was a delicate hand with a light grip grasping her right wrist.

Alex's eyes diverted to look at the back of Arabella's head. He remained mute—coward—so the woman beside her answered. Since Callie's mind was still slightly addled, she watched her lips form the words for a few seconds before she actually heard them.

"Have you truly not figured that out yet?" The melodic voice almost distracted Callie from the pejorative tone.

"Huh?" It was the only thing she could think of in the moment. She wasn't exactly in the best condition to solve whatever mystery Arabella was alluding to. Her normally vibrant mind was busy trying to refocus after the dark sludge had slowed her down.

"Arrête!" Alex commanded, glaring at Arabella. The ice blue eyes remained focused on her own face, however, so Callie doubted the glare had much effect. "Arabella works for The Order."

Auburn locks flew as Arabella's head whipped around. Now it was her turn to glare. "How much have you told her? You idiot! I should report you for exposing us."

Callie was fascinated by the way Alex's eyes had hardened to a cold steel that rivaled the chill coming from Arabella, the ice queen. Rather than tightening into a defensive position at her words, his tense arms dropped down by his sides.

"We both know you can't. I know too much about you, Belle."

Arabella's grip became painfully tight on her wrist, exposing an unexpected strength. The staring contest lasted for only a few seconds before the woman turned back to face Callie, grip relenting.

"Alexandre has decided to tell you things you shouldn't know, so I guess it is too late for me to try to deceive you. I am a Guardian—I assume you know what that means?"

Callie nodded, though her understanding was limited.

Arabella continued. "I am on assignment here, but I'm also supervising Alex in his first assignment. Trying to make sure he doesn't do anything stupid." The words came out from a clenched jaw that suggested she had failed in this mission.

Callie considered whether she should play dumb or probe for answers. The haze in her head had mostly cleared, and she had no idea how long Arabella would continue to be so forthright. Her choice was made.

"Did you heal me? Are you a dream walker like me?"

A flicker of surprise across the woman's face, then nothing. "No, I'm not like you."

"But you did heal me?"

Arabella hesitated. Alex interjected instead. "Yes, that's why I called her."

Callie's reaction alternated between gratitude and disappointment. The continual lies and betrayal no longer seemed to generate anger, not now that she had shared so much of herself with Alex. She would have to talk to him later about putting all their cards on the table.