Once Upon a Nightmare

all together ooky

ix: all together ooky

 

King Jack stares at my fear as it gradually vanishes, then at me, baffled. Genevieve draws in a long gasp, her perfect mouth forming an ‘o’ shape.

Alexander knocks the sword away, giving his brother a murderous look. “What is the matter with you?”

Armand says nothing, sheathing his sword.

King Jack drags a hand down his face and grinds his teeth. “Alexander,” he growls.

“Alexander,” Genevieve repeats in a motherly tone, crossing her arms.

As if unable to help himself, Armand clucks his tongue. He’s enjoying this, I can tell.

 “Morpheus—Alexander,” King Jack says. “Just when I think there is no possible way you can top the last stupid thing you did. It’s like you’re half a century old.”

“Hey, hey.” Alexander holds up his hands defensively. “I did not bring a human here on purpose.”

“I’m sorry,” King Jack says with faux-sweetness. “And how did you manage it on accident?”

“It’s not his fault,” I blurt. King Jack looks at me and crosses his arms, waiting. I swallow—he seriously is scary. “I just mean . . . it really was an accident.”

I receive three identical looks of pity, like I’m another hapless victim of the tempest that is Alexander but don’t know it.

King Jack sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose. “I don’t believe this. What are you going to do with her? In a city of hungry Nightmares, a human is like dangling a steak in front of a pack of wolves.”

That’s a particularly vivid metaphor, one I could have done without. Alexander doesn’t get a chance to respond. Three more Nightmares converge on our little group.

“Great,” Alexander mutters under his breath.

“Where were you, Jack?” the first snaps. His red eyes flash. He looks mean and powerful, covered from head to toe in decaying bandages like a mummy.

Jack winces. “I’m sorry—”

“The Dreams practically destroyed the castle before you managed to pop in, doesn’t that—”

“Vince, enough.” A Nightmare with wispy white hair puts a hand on the mummy’s arm. Despite the hair, his face is young and completely expressionless. His eyes are half-closed, almost sleepy, and a milky white color. He looks strange standing next to Jack’s empowering darkness. He looks, I realize, like a ghost.

Which is funny, because the last Nightmare is hairy, rugged and flashing a set of sharp teeth as he says, “Let’s all play nice, children,” is almost like a werewolf.

I turn to Alexander, mouth opening in excitement.

He rolls his eyes. “I’m aware,” he whispers. “Don’t give yourself a hernia.”

Chimera, city of monsters. I don’t think I’m going to get used to this.

“One thing at a time,” the ghost continues, still in that wispy, calm voice. “Tomorrow morning we can start on repairs. Johnny?”

The werewolf salutes. “My pleasure.”

“Alexander, Vince, and I can follow the Dreams, make sure they’re not planning anything else.”

“No,” Jack says, his voice almost a growl. “Alexander has other things to take care of.”

“What?” The ghost turns, confused.