Read Online In Dreams by Erica Orloff - Free Book Online Page B

do it. Saws and machetes and . . .” Aphrodite shudders. “That’s entertainment ? Why are we entertainedby that? Why should we appeal to the basest and ugliest of human nature? They’re scary, but they’re born of humans. No, Epiales will search deeper, deep inside your dreams for what you love. And he’ll then try to take that away.” She lowers her voice to a whisper. “I don’t even want to give voice to how. I don’t want to plant any ideas in your head, nothing for you to take to the Underworld in your dreams. But in order for Sebastian to come here, the two of you would have to pass through that realm of darkness, of the things you can’t speak of.”
    I think of my nightmares. The really horrible ones of being chased by something, or the ones about being locked in a tiny, dark room. With rats. I exhale to calm myself.
    “But aren’t the gods supposed to be above this?” Annie asks. “They’re gods, after all, not mortals with weaknesses like ours.”
    “Epiales may be a god,” Aphrodite says, “but he’s a jealous, angry god. The worst kind!”
    “What is he jealous of?” I ask. That word again. Jealous. Why would anyone be jealous of me ?
    “Your humanity. Think of it, darling. He’s the god of nightmares, living since the dawn of time in the ugliest part of the Underworld, on the far shores of Oceanus, in a place near eternal Night. He hauntspeople, playing with them like a cat toying with a mouse. But you have power, too, Iris.”
    If I have power, I’m not sure what it is. I certainly don’t feel as though I’m in control here.
    “ Own your power. You are half goddess. You’re stronger than you realize. And you have humanity—humanity is powerful. You have love—your mother, your grandfather, Annie . . . you have things you’re not afraid to fight for. Use that. And any time you are really afraid, remember, It’s only a dream .”
    “I know, but lately, my dreams follow me here.” I think back to the attack on Grandpa and me. My bruise certainly feels real enough.
    “Yes, I’m not surprised. But the gods are less powerful here. When we take human form, we can bleed. Gods can’t defy physics in the mortal realm. At least not totally. You can defeat him.”
    “But if you saw how strong Epiales is . . .”
    Aphrodite pats my hand. “You’re strong, too. Koios will help you.”
    “My hypnotherapist? How do you—”
    She smiles and throws her head back and howls her fabulous, authentic laugh. “Oh, sweetheart, we gods and goddesses have many tricks up our sleeves. Koios is one of us. The god of the inquisitive mind. He will teach you how to control your dreams. Howto find Sebastian. How to bring him here. Now have another pastry.”
    Aphrodite pushes the plate toward me, and I take one. I’m still not quite sure what to make of all this. I wonder how many other gods and goddesses there are in my world. But mostly I wonder if I really can control my dreams, if I can control my nightmares. And I think about that voice .

9
Dreaming men are haunted men.
STEPHEN VINCENT BENÉT
    I don’t want to sleep.
    Sunday night. I stare at the clock. It’s two in the morning. Tomorrow I have a test in English. Shakespeare. And I need to sleep. But I fear it.
    I want to see Sebastian.
    But I don’t want to see Epiales.
    So I listen to my iPod.
    My cardio playlist thumps in my ears. I try to stay awake. I listen to Macklemore, “Can’t Hold Us.” Then this old song by Pearl Jam.
    But then, despite blaring “Smile” by Eyedea & Abilities—my favorite song ever—my eyelids flutter.
I’m in a dance club. My favorite song is playing, and I feel the beat deep in my belly because the music is so loud and because I know the song so well that every note, every word, is part of my blood.
I have never been here before, so I feel lost and out of place. The club is dark, and the ceilings are very high. I can tell it is cavernous, even though I can’t see much. It’s the way the music