Dream Walker

Chapter 38 | Plan B

Just as she predicted, exams were a breeze. Except for physics, of course. Luckily, her study buddy had been available for a few sessions of intense preparation leading up to the final. Walking out of the exam, Callie felt at peace with the class. After all, there was nothing else she could do by then.

Alex, walking alongside, though he had finished the exam half an hour before her, said, "How are you feeling?"

She shrugged. "I think I passed. Hopefully med schools will be forgiving."

"Hey," he reassured her, "you already have a few interviews lined up. That means something."

"Let's stop talking about school for now. We have other things to do."

He raised his eyebrows, saying nothing.

"You know what I mean, you perv."

Alex laughed, and the sound made her chest ache. Listening to his laugh was the only thing that could cheer her up after an exam that all but crushed her spirit. They walked quickly toward his apartment, though the day was unseasonably warm.

They chatted lightly on the way, passing through streets that were nearly devoid of other students. Most were studying or had already left to start their winter breaks elsewhere. The warm breeze was unexpected and pleasant, but it also made Callie worry that an abrupt weather change was in the works.

Despite the warm weather, the lawn decorations and twinkling lights strung across the buildings they passed proved that the holidays were quickly approaching. They slowed to ogle some of the houses with giant, inflatable figures. Callie wasn't sure whether she found them fascinating or excessive.

Once inside the apartment, Alex began heating up water for tea. He had bought the same kind of tea she liked a few days before and refused to let her boil water in the microwave. Apparently, she was a lazy American that prepared tea incorrectly.

The way she had suddenly adapted to spending time at his place was shocking to both her and her best friends. They had been so surprised by her sudden relationship with Alex that few joking remarks had been made. She thought they might even have approved.

Callie's hands rested on the counter, mug between her hands, but her eyes were fixed on Alex. "What did they say?"

"Nothing good," he sighed. "They believe me that Cyril is a threat, that he is most likely involved in the attacks on innocents here. Their trust in you, however..."

Her face darkened. "They know everything about me—well, almost everything—and they still think I'm involved?"

Alex's gaze was just as dark, heavy with intent. "They don't know you. They know nothing. The Order works only in hard facts, clinical observations." He walked closer to her, placing his hands on her upper arms. "I couldn't tell them what I see in you, not in a way they would understand."

She shivered, either from the touch of his hands or the passion of his words. Weakness was not a trait she ever allowed in herself, but the warmth of his gaze was enough to make her knees feel shaky.

"What will they do? Will they stop him before he can do anything?"

His head shook. "They trust the barrier to keep him out of this world. It was reinforced by the strongest dream walker in centuries."

Her frustration bubbled up in her chest, tempered only by his grip on her arms. "So as long as I don't tear any more holes in the barrier they put up to prevent anyone from crossing the veil, everything will be fine?"

"I told them you could control it. They don't need any more reasons to vilify you."

She was grateful for his efforts, since she didn't need any other Guardians around tracking her movements. But her fear of accidentally putting more innocent lives in danger had only grown, despite her recent progress with controlling her powers.