“What?” Nightmare growled, stepping into view.

I looked into his eyes. “I need to go back home.”

Chapter

Fourteen

Nightmare’s eyes narrowed. “Are you sure that’s a good idea?”

“I can’t get the damn thing off my wrist to give it to him,” I said, my brow wrinkling. “It’s the only way I can help him. Please let me do this for him.”

“He’s going to kill me for letting you go,” Nightmare said, running his hands through his hair.

“Do you have a better idea?” I asked.

Nightmare shook his head. “Just… just be safe and smart. And definitely don’t get caught.”

“I won’t.”

“Those Light Beings can be dangerous if they think they’re protecting good,” Nightmare said.

I nodded. “I’ve seen them in action.” My eyes narrowed. “Did The Oracle tell you anything else about where the artifact might be kept? Noah has a very large house.”

“No, sorry,” Nightmare said with a sigh. “If you need to come back here, just close your eyes and find me. I can get you back in a heartbeat, okay?”

“Okay,” I said.

“Don’t do anything stupid.” Nightmare smirked.

I let out a sharp breath. “I’ll try not to.”

Nightmare sighed as he rubbed the back of his neck. “Okay. Good luck.”

“Thanks,” I said.

With my next blink, I woke up in my bed at Noah’s house.

The bed enveloped me in an embrace of unparalleled softness, and the blankets cocooned me in a warmth that felt like an affectionate hug from my Aunt Joyce. It was a comfort, unlike anything I’d experienced in a long time, momentarily blurring the lines between dreams and reality.

I questioned my sanity until I moved the blankets, noticing the dust and dirt clung to the bottoms of my shoes — which were still on. It would have been easy to stay in the bed and get some much-needed rest, but the last artifact was somewhere in the house. Since I might be the only person who could retrieve it, I had to force myself out of the bed.

Swing my legs over the side of the bed, I stared down at the medallion. With a breath, I held it out like a diving rod.

“Show me where it is,” I whispered before holding my breath.

Unsurprisingly, nothing happened. I groaned as I slid off the bed and onto my wobbly legs.

“Why is everyone so interested in you when you don’t actually do anything?” I huffed.

The medallion pulsed after I took my first step. I swallowed hard and took another step forward, waiting for it to pulse again.

“Are you listening to me?” I asked, my words hanging on the edge of audibility.

It pulsed again, an ominous beat in the stillness. Gently, I stroked the markings on the front of the medallion.

I looked around the room before focusing on the symbol carved into the unique material. I chewed my nails as I drew in the courage to ask the object another question.

“Do you belong to me?”

After a brief pause, it pulsed once again and gently warmed my skin. It was strange how it was both comforting and somewhat frightening at the same time. I pressed my cool fingers against the back of my warming neck.

“Okay, well, let’s find that last artifact together. Not that I even know what I’m looking for,” I muttered. I let out a long breath as I pressed my hand to my chest. “Is it in this room?”

The medallion remained icy. It reminded me of a time many years ago when I would play hot or cold with my younger brother, only my brother was more talkative.

I stepped out casually from the bedroom, walking down the hallway with calculated grace, every step shrouded in silence. Noah’s house was always well-lit, so there wasn’t a single shadow for me to hide in if necessary.

None of the people who worked for Noah would question my being there… at least, I hoped they wouldn’t. Surely, he would have told them that he was leaving and that I was allowed to stay on the property.

My fingertips brushed against the polished wooden rail as I glided down the stairs. I jolted to an abrupt stop when one of Noah’s guards stepped out from around the bottom of the staircase.

“Miss Remy,” his voice was smooth like melted butter.

“Hi,” I blurted.

His demeanor exuded calm and serenity, dressed in his usual white uniform, while my heart pounded in the center of my throat. The sweat on my palms caused me to slip slightly to the bottom step, where he caught and steadied me.

“What are you doing up at this hour?” He breathed. “You startled me.”

“Thirsty,” I said, awkwardly pointing at my throat.

“All dressed up?” he asked, cocking his head, his eyes focusing on my dirty shoes.

I laughed, looking down at myself. “I was so tired I forgot to change, I guess.”

“Mm, yes,” the guard said, nodding. “I can relate. The night shift would not have been my first choice tonight. Would you like me to accompany you to the kitchen?”

“Oh, no. That’s totally unnecessary,” I said, waving my hand in the air. “I know my way.”

He bowed his head. “Of course, Mr. Noah would prefer I get back to my post, I am sure.”

“Thank you, though,” I said, pressing my lips together. “Good job keeping watch.”

His eyes narrowed slightly before he walked away. My hand gripped the bottom of the railing as I squeezed my eyes shut and controlled my breathing.

The air was thick with tension. The soft tick tock, tick tock of the golden grandfather clock that sat just outside the hallway to Noah’s office quickened my pulse. I craned my neck around the corner to make sure the coast was clear.

I sprinted down the empty corridor with my heart thudding in my chest and twisted the knob as I held my breath. The almost blinding light cast an overwhelming golden glow to the room.