Chapter 21
Morpheus
Monsters Night Dimension
“I hope Sera bites your fucking knot,” Maliki mutters as we wander through the silent Nightingale Village.
I cast a sleeping net over all the humans, dragging them into the dream world—something Cain seemed both impressed and disturbed by. I even lulled the Village Protectors into a sleep state, desiring a peaceful stroll through Serapina’s hometown.
Which, as it turns out, is quite small.
And very outdated.
It reminds me of Victorian England from the Human Realm, only with a dystopian twist.
And monsters.
Because, in this dimension, monsters are known and worshipped. Very different from the mortal world of my universe, where all supernatural beings are considered to be myths.
“Not for foreplay or enjoyment,” Maliki goes on, still talking about our mate biting my knot. “But to make you bleed.”
I glance at him, amused by his desire. “Are you hoping this happens while you’re fucking her? Because I’m sure that can be arranged.”
“No, you bloody idiot,” he snarls. “Did you not hear her when she was talking to Hades about feeling abandoned?”
Some of my amusement dies, my steps slowing. “Yes, I heard her. That’s why I left her and Hades to bond.”
Maliki stops walking and faces me. “By abandoning her without warning or explanation, Morpheus.”
My brow furrows. “I…” Oh. “I didn’t think that through.”
“Obviously,” he returns flatly. “Which makes you a bloody idiot.”
“Hmm.” I don’t necessarily appreciate his insult—particularly as he issued it twice—but it does seem to be warranted.
Maliki and I had chosen to familiarize ourselves with the village while Reaper and Orcus went to investigate the train station and the stage where the infamous Day of the Choosing occurs. We’re supposed to regroup in the town square in about five minutes.
Which means I have some time.
Waving my hand through the air, I create a portal window that peeks into our home dimension. Specifically, Hades’s labyrinth. Maliki folds his arms beside me. “Can you make it a little bigger? I’d like to go back now.”
“Shh,” I hush him, my gaze scanning the interior of the cabin. “I’m looking for Serapina.” Having the window open allows me to sense her, but she doesn’t appear to be in this part of the maze. I suppose that means Hades took her on that tour he kept mentioning.
Little dreamer? I whisper into her mind.
Morpheus, she hisses back at me. Where are you?
In your home dimension, I tell her. I’ve manifested a win—
“Perhaps you didn’t hear me earlier about illegal portals,” Cain says, interrupting my mental conversation.
Sighing, I glance away from the window to look at him. “I heard you just fine, Elite City King. I just chose not to care.”
Ignoring his responding growl, I focus on my mate. Sorry, love, Cain is displeased that I opened a window to talk to you. But I wanted to apologize for leaving you without explanation. We’re looking for clues regarding Demeter’s penchant for—
“I wouldn’t.” Maliki’s deadly tone and sudden proximity jar me from my mental discussion once more, causing me to blink. I stare at the enforcer’s back, then look around him to see that he’s squaring off against Cain. “Give him a moment and he’ll close the portal.”
“Or I’ll close it right now by ripping his heart out.”
“While I would enjoy watching you try, it would upset my mate,” Maliki replies evenly. “So I’m going to advise you to take a step back, let him finish whatever he’s doing, and then—after the portal is closed—you can go all monster on him.”
I roll my eyes. “I’m not afraid of a dream monster.” I can easily become one, too. Just not in a physical form like Cain.
Dismissing both of them without further words, I return to my mate-link and wince when I hear Serapina panicking. Shh, I hush her. Everything is fine. We’re just looking for—
You mentioned Cain, like the Elite City King?
The very same, I mutter. He’s an arrogant prick. Utterly ungrateful, too. Particularly as—
He’s a monster, Morpheus.
Well, yes. Most supernaturals in this dimension are, I suppose. But you should know that in our—
No, I mean, he’s terrifying, she stresses, interrupting me again. Alina told me that he’s the one all the monsters in that world fear. He’s powerful. He’s like a… a…
God? I suggest, smiling. So am I, Serapina.
And the monsters of your home world don’t scare me.
That’s also not why I opened this window—I wanted to apologize for leaving and to tell you that we’ll return soon.
Hopefully, with some information that can help break whatever mirage Demeter has cast over you.
You need to come back now, she says. You don’t want to mess with Cain.
Oh, I think I won’t have a choice there, love.
He’s wanted a dose of my power since we arrived.
I might have to give it before he lets us leave.
But don’t worry about me and Maliki. We’re okay.
I try to find her again via the window, but doing that draws my focus to where Reaper and Orcus have joined the line with Maliki to form a protective shield between me and Cain.
Sighing, I say, Serapina, darling, we’ll be back soon, but I need to close the portal now. I’ll check in again in an hour, either in person or via another window.
Because fuck Cain’s rules.
I gave him his Strigoi when I could have easily forced them to return to my kingdom. That decision could change in an instant, something Cain needs to respect and understand if he wants to maintain this tentative alliance with our dimension.
Morpheus, Serapina whispers.
Maliki and I will return to you, love, I promise. I should have told you that before we left. I wanted you to have time with Hades alone, but Maliki made me see that not communicating was a mistake. I’ll do whatever you need me to do to earn your forgiveness—once we’re back.
With that, I close the portal because I suspect her request would be for us to come home right now. But we’re not done hunting for any traces of the mirage Demeter left behind here.
Blinking, I focus on my surroundings once more. “I would apologize, Cain, but I’m not sorry. My mate’s needs supersede your rules.” I shift my gaze to Orcus. “Find anything interesting at the train station?”
“Just the new Viscount,” he mutters. “She was asleep at a desk in the station. Seemed to be a new office, not one Demeter used.”
“A lot has changed in the Nightingale Village over the last year and a half,” Cain states flatly. “I would elaborate, but I don’t want to.”
I smile. “As I’m uninterested in these changes, that’s fine by me.” Looking at Orcus, I ask, “Shall we move on to the Viscount’s former home in the mountains?”
That’s where the showdown happened with Demeter after Alina shattered the Alpha’s mirage. We probably should have started there, but seeing where Serapina was raised made sense, too. Especially since Demeter lurked here for decades while disguised as the Village Viscount.
“We’ll need to—”
Magic seems to hum around Cain, cutting off his statement. My eyebrow inches upward as he curses and pulls the mirror from his pocket again. It’s the same one Sabre came out of, the device piquing my curiosity. I’ve never seen a mirror used in such a manner.
Cain sighs, his gaze flicking up to mine with murderous intent, then he focuses on the device in his palm.
“Zael,” he says, his tone bored.
“Cain,” a deep voice returns. “Anything you want to explain?”
The Elite City King cocks his head. “Depends. There are so many things I could discuss. Do you have a specific topic in mind?”
“Portals?” Zael suggests. “Illegal ones, perhaps?”
Cain pretends to consider that for a long moment and slowly shakes his head. “Not sure I have much to say on that topic at present. But if there were any that popped up in my territory, we both know that I would handle it personally.”
“And if any appear on my islands?” A hint of a silky accent caresses those words, the origin sounding almost Australian in nature, but not quite.
“Then I would expect you to drown it,” Cain answers flatly. “That is what you sea lords do, yes?”
A grunt sounds from the mirror. “Perhaps I’ll show you what we sea lords do the next time I see you, Dream Eater.”
The line goes dead with a flash, causing Cain to mutter something foreign before pocketing his device. “Your presence here is already alerting nearby territory kings. I suggest you quickly visit the Viscount’s former home, then disappear. For good.”
I shrug. “As I already told my mate, I’m not worried about your world’s monsters.” I smile then, wanting to offer him a subtle placating comment. “Of course, she replied that most monsters in your world fear you. So I’m intrigued by this Zael and why he does not.”
“Because he’s the Elite Island King and has his own monsters to terrify.” Cain stares me down, unflinching. “Do what you came here to do, God of Dreams. Or I’ll take you to Zael for a visit, see if he’s as amused by your antics as I am.”
I arch a brow. “Need I remind you about those favors you owe me? I believe you refer to them as Sabre and Cage?” The former of which disappeared with Cain after entering the village and hasn’t rejoined our party yet in the town square.
Part of me wonders if Cain discreetly sent him back to the Elite City to hide.
Or if he has Sabre coming up with a backup plan should it be needed.
Stepping around Maliki—who is still acting as a shield, despite being clearly irritated with me mere minutes ago—I move within arm’s reach of Cain.
“I’m not your enemy, Elite City King,” I tell him in all seriousness. “I’ve always liked Sabre and Cage, and I have no interest in removing them from your mate-circle. However, as a recently mated male, you should understand why I am willing to risk everything for my own mate.”
He searches my gaze, his posture remaining defensive. I suspect that might just be his usual stance. He has a world to protect, one frequently visited by monsters from various realms, and I appreciate the difficulty he faces in managing his unique territory.
But we’re not here to cause problems, something I know he’s figured out by now.
“It would help if I understood what you were searching for here,” he finally says. “Perhaps it’s something I can assist you in finding.”
“That’s the problem,” I tell him. “We’re not sure what we’re looking for exactly.” Glancing around, I add, “I can attempt to elaborate while we walk?”
“We’re going to drive,” he replies. “The Viscount’s home was up in the mountains, a good several miles from here. And I’m not letting either of you mist me up there.”
My lips twitch.
Orcus offered to do that earlier, but Cain refused and used his fancy little device instead. I’m not quite sure how it works, but I’ve gathered it’s linked to a portal of mirrors and glass-like surfaces—such as lakes—that he uses to move freely around his territory.
“I already sent Sabre to get a car,” he adds. “He’s parked behind the train station.” Cain glances around. “It’ll fit four of us comfortably. The rest can…” He lifts a hand, his fingers dancing a little in the air. It’s like he said mist once and can’t repeat it.
“Maliki and I will join you,” I say. Reaper and Orcus can meet us up there since they know where to go already.
Orcus nods, disappearing.
Reaper glances between us and shrugs, then follows his Alpha.
“Once we’re a safe distance from the village, I’ll release my hold on your humans,” I tell Cain before he can ask. “Now, about Demeter…”