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IN YOUR DREAMS

Vivian didn’t show up again until the week of the pro in one of Lend’s classes, but I didn’t know anyone The teacher spoke in another language, I had forgotten how to read, and I earing my prom dress with combat boots Just the prohtmares

As I frantically tried to decipher the words of a test on a subject I’d never heard of, I looked up The rest of the students had disappeared Vivian sat at a desk, givingbehind her

"You’re weird," she said

I looked down at the paper, still nervous that I needed to finish it "Yeah, I know"

"So, did you tell hi

"I did, actually"

"Why haven’t you called me then?"

"He didn’t care"

Her smile dropped off, replaced by furrowed brows "He didn’t care?"

"Nope He likes me no matter who or what I am"

She shook her head "No, you don’t understand You ured out how to do it, didn’t you? Did you kill him?"

"No, I didn’t kill hiure it out’ either, and I don’t want to I’m happy where I am"

"Oh, I see" Her face went hard and cold "Lucky Evie Are they going to take care of you, then? Aren’t you just the special one Friends everywhere"

I shrugged, unco to do with the faeries or with taking souls or any of that I can be normal here I want to be normal"

Her face contorted in fury For a ht she’d attack ed, and she looked down at the desk, tracing her finger along it Black"Normal, huh? Wouldn’t that be nice, little Evie, norhtful "I alanted a nickna on affection, you know? A friend or soh to say, hey, Vivi, or maybe just Viv I alondered how that would feel"

Her eyes filled with tears "You kno long I’ve waited for you? I was alone for so long, and then they started talking about how the other court made a new one At first I was jealous, ready to kill you like they said But then I saw you in Ireland, and I realized, here’s so for you They couldn’t find you, but I knew I could, knew I’d be able to get to you And when I finally found you, you left before we could talk I’ain" Her thin shoulders shook She looked so broken, so sad it made my heart hurt "It won’t last You can’t be nor alone Please, letnot to look at the souls, telling myself I didn’t want them I stroked her hand "I’m sorry I’m so sorry"

She looked up atbehind her eyes "Then come with rabbed my wrist, her hands like a vise

"I’ll find you," she whispered, s

My eyes flew open and I sat up in bed Not good So not good

It was still dark, but I went silently over to Lend’s rooh different people I cli down next to him but on top of the covers "Lend," I whispered He didn’t ain, a little louder "Lend"

His eyes popped open, his face shifting from a random older man to his usual form "Evie?"

"I had another visit"

"Oh" He stared athis head "Sorry, what time is it?"