Emerge: The Captive: (Book 3)(74)
“How can I trust a random stranger?” Quinn hesitated to sit.
“It seems you are close with someone who means a great deal to me and my lovely wife. Several someones, in fact.” Navid smiled.
“You’ve been talking to Alexander.” Quinn laughed, finally taking a seat beside Navid. “He said the same thing when I met him recently. I still don’t know what it means.”
“He is a wise but confusing man. He has briefed me on your situation.”
Quinn wanted to trust the dreamwalker but he wasn’t sure if he should. It felt like Navid was only giving him half of the story.
“You’re having a rough time of it, Quinn,” Navid said softly. “If I could free you from Soma, I would do it in an instant. But I am afraid you’re going to need to get yourself out of there. And soon. The best way I can help you is to mentor you here in the dreamworld. But like anyone, I have my limitations. My gift only allows me to stay here for a short time, so I cannot linger here long.”
Quinn nodded, staring absently at his hands. “Can you show me how to reach someone in their dreams?” If he could somehow contact Sasha or even Aidan, he could get the help he needed.
“You are not ready for that yet. It is not wise to leave your own dreamscape until you come to understand this world better. When you visit your home here, you are venturing far too close to another’s dreamscape, and that is very dangerous. I need you to stay away.”
“So I can’t reach my family?” It seemed his last hopes were fading quickly. He should have known not to expect so much from such a new gift.
“I’m afraid not. They are too far away. As young as you are, close proximity is needed to pull a dreamer into your own dreamscape.” Navid squeezed his shoulder in sympathy. “But there are other ways this gift can help you. We just need to find the right way.”
“So, if someone I needed to talk to was close enough, I could bring them here?”
“Yes. I believe you have already done that with your friend, Santi. Just remember rule number one: Do not ever leave your own dreamscape. No matter what.”
“How do I know when I’ve left it?”
“As long as you ignore the voices that can lure you into other dreams, you will remain safe in your own little world.”
“I’ve followed the voices a few times but I made sure to just observe until I thought it was safe to leave the dreamer in peace. I hope I haven’t hurt anyone.” Quinn knew better than anyone how dangerous it could be to mess around with a new gift when you didn’t know what it could do.
“There have been rumors of a new dreamwalker wreaking havoc in this world. I assumed it was you, but now I’m not so sure. If you’ve resisted the urge to meddle with the few dreamers you’ve encountered, then you are doing remarkably well.”
“I don’t have a clue what I’m doing.”
“But you have good instincts.” Navid smiled. “You should trust them.”
“Is … does a dreamwalker help people?” The temptation to use his power was there, like it always was, but it was so much easier to ignore here.
Navid sighed as he sat back. “That’s a complicated question.”
“What does a dreamwalker do?”
“In simple terms, we were once the guides who helped dreamers travel safely back to the waking world. Before the Great War, all Immortals came here to rest. During the war, some with more talent for this place began to use it as a weapon, terrorizing dreamers as they slept. As the mortal population grew, they too came here. Many believed the mortals should have been extinguished rather than banished. Some dreamwalkers used their ability to attempt just that.” Navid frowned at the unpleasant memory.
“The dreamworld is a sad, broken place, Quinn. It’s nothing like it once was. Few have the gift anymore. Those that do often let the power go to their heads. Those like myself take the job more seriously. It is our responsibility to protect dreamers—Immortal and mortal alike.”
“Protect them from what?” Quinn asked.
“Other dreamwalkers. Losing their way among the nightmares. This place can be dangerous. Those who die in their sleep … more often than not, the death is due to a dreamwalker—or lack of a competent one. Sadly, those of us who have taken up the traditional role are far too few.”
“You should know, I am an addict.” Quinn hung his head in shame. “Most of my gifts are dangerous, heinous things I would rid myself of in an instant if I could.”
“We are all addicts here, Quinn. It is the plight of the dreamwalker.”
“You too?” Quinn wondered if this man could be the precedent he’d looked for all his life.
“I am.” Navid nodded. “I know exactly what it means to suffer from the addiction. It is why I can never stay here too long. I know my limits and I do not exceed them.”
“You have no idea what it means to meet someone like you.” Quinn leaned his elbows on his knees for support, letting his head slump forward. “To see a kind man your age who has managed to fight the addiction and keep his humanity. It is inspiring.”
“I haven’t always. I’ve stumbled. And when I do, I start over.” Navid shrugged. “Believe it or not, but I find mortal AA meetings to be quite helpful. I learned a very long time ago how important it is to forgive myself for my weaker moments so I am able to be strong when it truly counts.”