Outside, a quarter moon beamed over the marsh. I gazed across the swampy waters, seeing the greenish blue mist dance and sway in the air. A mild breeze fluttered my hair as I took a deep breath, expecting to smell the muddy swamp or the poison on the other side. Instead, the fragrance of flowers in moonlight tickled my senses. It was quiet and peaceful here at the edge of the Heights, even a bit dreamy—not quite as magical as the Wisps, but if someone wanted to disappear, this was the place to do it.
Sitting on the front stoop, my eyes were drawn to the toxic vapor that had changed the world, and I found myself lost in the past, in that hectic day that changed all of our lives. The terror that perfumed the air. The helplessness we all felt. And the cries for aid as the mist burned the skin, invaded the lungs, and scorched the eyes. I blinked, and the screams shifted as the past morphed into the future.
The echo of a thousand shrieks pierced my ears, but all I could see was the cloudy mist that blanketed me. I could no longer see the little cottage or the marsh. There was nothing but the mist.
Don’t fall apart. It is only a vision.
Lifting my hand in front of me, I reached out, drawing random patterns in the air, and watched the mist wrap around my fingers as I moved. I was alone and lonely… or was I? Something appeared in the mist, a dot or two. I squinted, taking a step forward but careful not to go too far. What was that? Two neon green dots glowed through the hazy fog, moving closer to me, and a chill skirted up my spine.
Instinct told me not to get closer, but where was there to go?
My breathing tripled as what could have been a pair of eyes drew near. “Hello?” I called out. “Is someone there?”
Silence. Not even the wind blew.
I stood frozen, uncertain what to do. I wanted nothing more than for the vision to end, but at the same time, I was curious. What was out there?
A hand touched my shoulder and I was jerked back to the present, staring into Ryker’s golden eyes. “Hey, you okay? I called your name, but you just looked right through me, like a ghost.”
I was cold. So very cold. Rubbing my hands up and down my arms, I nodded. “I thought I saw something.”
Ryker stiffened. “Where?”
“In the mist. I can’t be sure, but I thought I saw a pair of eyes. That’s crazy, isn’t it?” I kept my voice low.
“Do you really have to ask yourself that?”
“If what I saw is true, then is there a possibility of life beyond the mist?”
“I’m more concerned with what kind of life it is. Nothing can live within the mist for long periods without being affected, not even us who have been touched by it. Is that all you saw?”
Dumbfounded, I tilted my head. “You know I have visions?”
Ryker chuckled. “I know many things about you, Charlotte Winston.”
Any other person would have made that statement sound creepy. Yet coming from Ryker, it seemed more curious. “How long have you been watching me for the Institute?”
Ryker shook his head, waving a hand in the air. “You have it all wrong. I’m not a spy for the Institute. I’ve been feeding the network information about the movements of the Night’s Guard.”
My brows drew together. “Why would you do that? If they found out what you’ve been doing—”
“I know the risks,” Ryker cut in. “Remember when I told you that Dash found me? I owe him my life and my sanity. What the Institute did to him was wrong.”
“So you feel obligated to help a friend.” I could get behind that.
“It’s more than just that. The Institute isn’t some monster organization trying to rule this new world. Something has them nervous.”
I bit my lower lip. “Nervous enough to build an army. I’ve come to that conclusion myself. But what is it?”
Alert and tense, Ryker glanced out beyond the marsh. “We don’t know, but if the Institute doesn’t succeed in finding a way to defend the Heights, we’re going to need to be ready. They might want to keep this on the down low, but I refuse to be a sitting duck while they play in their labs.”
“And no one has seen what the threat could possibly be? What if it is the mist? What if it is not receding as the Institute thinks?” We could throw possibilities at each other all day, yet it wouldn’t give us the answers we wanted, but still, I couldn’t help contemplating.
“They have seers with the sight constantly looking, but you of all people know how unpredictable the future can be,” Ryker pointed out.
I did. It was frustrating to say the least. For example, why didn’t I have a vision of Dash getting stabbed? That was one event I would have done everything in my power to change. “Gah. This is so messed up. What am I going to do if he doesn’t wake up?” I let myself voice the question that had been running on repeat in my head. My biggest fear.
“Celeste is good at what she does. If the Institute got wind of her abilities, you can believe she would be taken from her home. Dash is in good hands. And he needs rest.”
“That’s what Celeste said, and I know that rest is the best medicine, but I really want him to open his eyes.”
“He will.”
I sighed. “I wish I had your confidence. How long can we stay here and be safe? The Institute could already be on their way. They will have figured out that one of their guards is dead. Dash left the other one wounded and alive.”
“I will try to buy you time, a couple days at the most. I have to go back for a few hours, but I promise you I will return. I won’t leave you alone.”
It was hard to be wary of Ryker when he made it too easy to lean on him. “How do I know that you’re not going to tell them where we are?”
“Blood oath?” he offered.
I shuddered, hoping he was joking. “I’ve seen enough blood.”
“And I am sure there is more to come. I know it’s a huge leap of faith, trusting me, but let me point out that I did get you to Celeste as I promised.”
“You did. I want to trust you; I really do, but I’d be a fool not to be cautious. How many times did you tell me to only trust myself?”
His lips twitched. “I lost count. So what does your gut say?”
“It’s all twisted up at the moment and not really reliable.”
“Understandable considering. You’re the only person who has ever seen me shift.”
I met his gaze. “Really?”
He nodded. “Cross my heart and hope to—”
“Don’t you dare say it,” I hissed.
“Bad timing.” His lips curled. “You know the Institute went into an uproar when they found out you escaped.”
“I just bet. You helped me. Why?” I was still coming to terms with Ryker being Blink. It was hard to think of them as the same person/bird.
“Because you and Dash are important.” He raised his hand and tucked a frazzled curl behind my ear, his fingers lingering for a few moments as regret stirred in his eyes. “As much as I might not like it, the two of you need each other.”
“Why?” I asked, confused. People kept making comments like that, but I didn’t understand what they meant.
“The seers haven’t seen why, just that together you and Dash are formidable. You’re both vital for what is coming.”
“If that is true, then Dash must wake up, because if he doesn’t, what hope is there?”
“You ask all the difficult questions, but there is always hope.” He shifted his weight, and I knew he was about to leave.
“You swear you’ll come back, and you’re not going to betray me or send the Institute straight here the moment you get there?” I asked.