Crystal's one escape from the pretentious life her parents want for her is the dreams that fill her mind as she sleeps. In those dreams awaits the same boy who comes to her night after night, filling her heart with hope that can only be a fantasy. T...
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My eyes sting as they slowly open only to quickly close as I'm blinded by bright sunlight spilling in through the window. Problem is my window is normally behind me and my curtains are so dark and thick they completely block out the sun. The hard cushion beneath me isn't soft like my bed either and there's no sound of Mia's soft snores.
Sitting upright, I force my eyes open while keeping a hand up to block the light. What I see only makes my stomach drop with dread.
"Sleep well?" my dad asks from the coffee station in the corner of his office.
With his back to me, I look around the room as if I'll find a trap hanging from the ceiling or a neon flashing sign telling me I'm in trouble. Instead, all I find is the familiar mahogany desk with the two armchairs in front of it, the wall of bookcases, and the large stone fireplace. It looks the exact same as the last time I was here...with Hunter.
Just thinking his name creates a searing pain in the center of my chest. My hands rush to cover the throbbing injury.
I need to find him. I need to fix this.
I move to push myself off of the couch next to the door, but I've barely moved before my dad turns around.
"Don't even think about it," he says sternly, crossing the room with two coffee mugs in his hands. "Besides, he's most likely still sleeping."
Attitude and distaste lace every word as I ask, "Who says I was going to him?"
Cocking his head to the side, he lifts a brow that says it all. He's my dad; for that fact alone, he knows me better than most.
He holds out one of the coffee mugs and I take it before he moves to lean against the back of one of the armchairs.
"Why'd you do it?" I ask and take a sip of the hot liquid.
The look on his face stays completely calm and controlled. "Do what?"
"Stop. You know what I'm talking about. Why'd you turn him against me? Why would you do that to your only daughter?"
He releases a laugh so short I almost miss it. "It's because you're my only daughter that I did what I did. He's not good enough for you."
I scoff and roll my eyes before nearly downing the rest of the rich coffee.
"I'm serious, Crystal Ruby. I won't let you ruin your future for that boy."
"You mean you won't let me ruin your future for him."
Dad narrows his eyes at me and sets his cup down on the table beside him before stepping closer with crossed arms. "And what do you mean by that?"
"That journal of yours said something about blood-related dreamers having some kind of bond that can produce a lot of power. You would just hate for that kind of power to end up in Hunter and his friends' hands, wouldn't you?"
