Dreamscape Read Online Free PDF Page B

does
he want from me? My mind fills with images of what he could do to me, and
surprisingly, not all of them are unpleasant. I’ve got to get a grip. “What’s
that supposed to mean?”
    A muscle in his jaw jumps, and he stares right at me. “Only
that I know who you are. I know how old you are. And I know you are starving.”
His voice softens to match his eyes. “Let me help you.”
    I smack my lips and take the closest goblet. My head rushes
with warning bells, and my body has tensed again, but I sit back and let him
cut my food.
    Skeptical, I take a sniff of the drink in my hands. “What
is this?”
    He sighs before he answers me. “Apple juice. Only apple
juice.”
    My favorite. It’s creepy how much he knows about me, but I
can’t keep my hands from bringing the drink to my lips. The tangy liquid slides
down easy. I don’t think I’ve ever tasted anything so good.
    He makes one last cut before he hands me my utensils. I try
to smile at him, but it feels wrong, forced. Of course it’s forced, you
idiot. He kidnapped you for hell’s sake.
    His smile is relaxed, easy. With a tilt of his head, he
eyes my food. The starving part of me shakes her fists at him, so I set to work
piling the meal away. My stomach does a happy dance, greedily asking for more,
but if I don’t stop soon, I’m gonna make myself sick.
    “Amelia?”
    I swallow hard. I hate when he uses my name. My body
stiffens every time he does it. “Seth?” I say more casual than I feel.
    “You needn’t rush. There is more food if you desire it.”
    I nod, but suddenly, I’m not hungry anymore. I raise my
eyes to his. “Enough of the bull. How can you have food like this and not be
able to leave? And what’s with that pendulum? What is this place and why do you
really have me here?”

    Amelia’s questions remind me of just how much work I have
still to do. If only I could show her who I am. I can imagine us sitting at
this table, enjoying the evening meal so easily…too easily. I’m alarming her
with my familiarity.
    She wants to know why I have brought her here. Should I
tell her how lonely I am? Should I confess to her that I have watched her grow
from a gangly girl into the beauty that sits before me? Should I let her know
how much I’ve ached to have her with me for real?
    No. That would be the stupidest thing I could do. I take a
sip of my drink, letting the sweet liquid roll on my tongue before I swallow. I
need no drink to intoxicate me. The woman sitting so close has already
accomplished the deed.
    “I’ve already told you why I have brought you here, Amelia,”
I say. Even though I know my answer will not appease her, I do not have another
to give.
    She sends me a frigid frown. “Why do you keep saying my
name?”
    I smile to myself. One of these times, she will realize who
I am, or I will show her in the Dreamscape. It is only a matter of patience.
“Is it not customary to use one’s name in a conversation?”
    She stands up, and her heart jumps into a run even though
her legs stay put. Her chest rises and falls so rapidly I am worried she will
swoon. Her voice comes out breathy. “This has been…interesting, but you really
need to let me go now.”
    I study my napkin. “I cannot.”
    Before I’m able to say anything else she runs for my
chamber. She makes it into the hallway before I catch her elbow. I wonder if
she knows how fast she just moved. Astonishing.
    She pulls against my light grip. “Let go of me, Seth!”
    I don’t.
    “As I have already told you, you may leave if and when you
can find the key. I am unable to grant your request. You are the only person
here that can access the mortal world.”
    She pries my fingers off her arm. “You’re so full of it
your breath smells like horse crap.”
    I step away, tempted to check for myself. Then I realize
she is not being literal. “As I said before, you are welcome to try,” I say,
walking back into my room.
    My blood is pumping so fast I have to calm myself