40

I TOLD HER I want her safe, and that is true. But what I didn't say—couldn't say—is that I want to punish Atlas more than anything. And I have to maintain appearances to the Shadow Council, which is why I targeted his ridiculous roommate, too.

I also discovered that Ophelia's best friend, Reya, has a protection over her mind. It's the reason I've yet to break through and manipulate her nightmares. Something about the challenge intrigues me. I don't plan to give on her yet. But the more fruitful path has been the other three.

Reya's mind games will have to wait.

In haunting them, I've learned a lot.

I've learned bringing Ophelia and Atlas together again was not the painful experience I expected it to be for them.

And that Carter is Moriah's cousin. That was never something I was aware of.

And I've learned Reya's dreams have the best essence, the strongest aura. I've yet to be able to unlock them, though. I've tried to make my way through her mind, finding her fears and manipulating them. But nothing works. She's locked tighter than the cage Ophelia is in right now.

I will have to try harder, but for now my focus is on the three I've been able to manipulate.

Now, as I search for Atlas in the woods, I can't help but wonder how his newest fears are entangled with Ophelia's.

Ophelia is scared to let people into her heart, to give them a chance to break it. But there's also another, fainter fear buried in the depths of her mind that I can't fully reach. I've never been unable to read someone's mind.

Atlas's newest fear is no surprise, I must admit. He's no longer scared of drowning. He's scared to lose Ophelia.

I soar above the trees in shadow form, weaving up and down, in and out, trying to find my mark.

Atlas and Carter are resting, backs against a tree. Smart, considering there are other things lurking in these woods. I sense the pack of white wolves tucked further away, not minding that two human snacks are within reach, sitting ducks.

I can't interfere now, not that I would. I can only observe what I have set in motion. I did speak to Ophelia, though, even though it's against the rules. But screw rules and regulations. She needed to know I will never harm her.

The guilt about her falling off the boat in Atlas's dream eats at me. He was supposed to fall off. He was supposed to either sink or swim. I didn't care much about what happened to him.

But Ophelia fell, and he dove in after her. I let him live because he saved her. But I will no longer be merciful to him: this is my chance to finally end him.

The roommate is collateral damage, though I'll spare him if he makes it to the end of this nightmare. He deserves something; it's not his fault he got dragged into this.

I don't stay observing them too long. The game is already afoot. I take off back to the shelter, back to Ophelia.

I will protect her there, though from afar. I will not interfere again, for the consequences from the Council will be harsh. They've already ruined my life, turning me into this monster. I don't need to see what else they have in store for me if I fall out of line again.

I land on a ledge in the dome, watching as Ophelia walks around its perimeter, pressing her fingers against the walls, feeling for a way out. She doesn't know that the walls will come down if she lets them. She doesn't know that the people she wants inside can enter.

The poetry of this place is as simple as discovering oneself. It's simply complex, I suppose you could say. I settle on the ledge, wishing that I could reveal all the secrets to Ophelia.

Wishing that there was a universe in which she would open her eyes and see me.

But only my true love can free me from the Curse of Shadows. And only that love will be able to see me for who I am.

Or who I was.

I don't know if speaking in past tense is more painful than using the present tense. Past and present no longer have any meaning for me. Everything blurs together and time no longer exists in these nightmares.

So, for now, I rest. I wait for Atlas and his roommate to arrive.

I wait to see what will transpire.