Read Online Forsaken Dreamscape (Nevermor) by Lani Lenore - Free Book Online Page A

body temperature.  She could feel his
presence in front of her – absolutely searing!
    “Do
you recognize me, Wren?” he asked again.  “Can you say my name with
confidence?”
    “Rifter,
you're hurting me.”
    As
soon as she said it, he released her, stepping back as if to separate himself
from his actions.  He looked toward the ground and a nervous smile came to his
face for a moment.  With that brief flash, she once again noticed his teeth –
sharp, so perfect for ripping flesh – and she was frightened.
    “What
has happened to you?” she gasped.
    “The
darkness came,” he said.  “It infected the world.  It changed us.”
    “How?”
she asked, grasping for the answer.  “Please tell me.”
    “I'm
sorry,” he said instead, an apology instead of a refusal.  “It's all because of me .”
    Wren
had so many questions – Where are the others?  Is it the Scourge? – but
she knew they could only come out one at a time.  She dared to touch him,
resting her hands on his shoulders, only realizing then that she was shaking.
    “Just
start at the beginning,” she urged, willing to put her own misfortunes behind her
for now.  There was no reason to drone on about her time in the asylum.  That
part of her life was over.
    His
flaming eyes met hers tentatively, and a smile of gratitude came up on his
mouth.
    “I
suppose I forgot how forgiving you are.”
    At
that, she smiled a bit herself.  Maybe the boy she knew was there after all,
even if it was behind a face she hardly recognized.
    Rifter,
there are so many things that I need to say .  She did not get the chance.
    A
sound echoed through the sky – a piercing animal cry – and Rifter lifted his
head to observe it, staring intently into the distance.
    “We
can’t talk here,” he said firmly.  “It isn’t safe in the open.  Come on.”
    Grabbing
her hand, he pulled her into the woods, away from the beach.  She’d seen this
place before, but it was much different now.
    The
trees were pale and dead.  It was not grass or fallen leaves that passed
beneath their feet, but ash and soot.  The smell of smoke and burn invaded her
nostrils, but while Rifter pulled her along so forcefully, she could not help
filling her lungs with the tainted air.
    This
forest was burned by the Scourge years ago , she recalled.  It hasn’t
grown back .
    There
was a disturbance above and Wren lifted her eyes in time to see several dark
shapes fly by overhead.  They looked like a flock of large birds, but she
feared they were not.
    “Keep
moving,” Rifter said lowly.  “Almost there.”
    Rifter
guided her farther until they reached a hollow cave mouth which seemed to hum
on its own.  He tugged on her hand as he guided her inside, but paused just
within the opening where there was still a bit of light.  He was quiet as he
peered around, his eyes glowing in the dark.  Wren examined the cavern as well,
noting the jagged spikes that had formed on the ceiling.  Somewhere deeper
inside was the resonating sound of dripping water.
    “Are
we safe here?” she asked quietly, but even that echoed.
    “Safe
as anywhere,” he replied.  She didn’t like the sound of that.
    He
turned to face her, his cat eyes flashing.  There were so many emotions in
those eyes: hatred and love walked hand in hand, followed closely by innocence
and wisdom.  He looked at her, his expression that of a poor little boy who
didn’t know what to do, but the way they were shaped under his brows made him
look sinister.  Was she to feel sorry for him?  To take him in her arms?  Was
that what he wanted?
    “Is
this where you live?” she asked, but there was no evidence to support her
guess.
    “I
have no home anymore,” he said sadly.  “I have to keep on the move, always.”
    “Where
are the others?” Wren was beginning to feel nervous, but she had already
guessed the answer before he confirmed it for her.
    “They’ve
gone,” he replied, and a harsh bolt of fear rushed through her