Page 87 of Bargain with Fate
Before I managed to crack open the book, my phone rang with a call from Dr. Adam. “I’m so sorry to bother you, Maya, but it’s important.”
My blood started pumping. “Is it Ronald?”
“I’m afraid so. He hasn’t woken up today. Would it be possible for you to check on him…the same way you did last time.”
In other words, he wanted me to dreamwalk. “Of course.”
I abandoned the grimoire on the counter and hurried from the cottage. Vale’s team was probably too busy with the threat from the Coranians now to focus on hunting down Leanne. Poor Ronald.
Dr. Adam met me at the door and escorted me straight to Ronald’s bedroom. The elf’s lips were no longer cracked and peeling.
“He looks hydrated,” I said.
“Look at his vitals, though. His body is hanging on by a thread. It must be torture for him.”
Ronald’s mind didn’t seem aware of his body’s suffering. He wanted to spend time with Leanne in his dream world, no matter the cost.
I climbed onto the double bed and took my place beside the unconscious elf. I placed my hand on his spindly arm, closed my eyes, and synced my breathing to his. It took only a minute to enter his dream, but our meeting of the minds ended before it even began. Instead of a gate with a forest beyond, I was confronted by a large brick wall that extended as high and wide as the eye could see.
“Ronald! Ronald, it’s Maya. Can you let me in?”
No response.
I knocked, banged my fists, and even kicked, but the wall remained intact. I couldn’t budge a single brick.
“Ronald, we’re concerned about you,” I yelled. “We need you to wake up!”
The only sound I heard was the echo of my own voice bouncing off the bricks. If Ronald was still cognizant, he either couldn’t hear me or didn’t want to answer.
I returned to consciousness and opened my eyes.
Dr. Adam practically pounced the moment he realized I was awake. “Anything?”
I shook my head. “I think Leanne found a way to block me.”
“What does this mean? Are we going to lose him?”
I glanced at the cane, still nestled between the headboard and the wall. “We may not lose him completely, but I’m not sure what kind of life this is for him.” Ronald barely existed at this point. He may have believed he was thriving in his dream world with Leanne, but it wasn’t real.
And it had left him teetering on the razor’s edge of death.
Dr. Adam followed my gaze to the cane. “What if we can’t stop Leanne? Should we do something about the cane?”
I knew what he was really asking. “I’m not sure there’s anything wecando.”
“I hate to even suggest it, but I will always choose what’s in the best interest of my patient, even if that decision doesn’t align with my personal preference.”
I hopped to my feet. “Because you’re a good and honorable healer, Dr. Adam, but I’m not ready to give up just yet.” I pulled my phone from my pocket. “I’d like Zachariah to take a look at the cane, but I don’t want to risk removing it from Ronald’s side. Is it all right if I invite him here?”
“Yes, of course. Anything you need.”
I walked into the living room to call Zachariah. For once, the necromancer answered on the first ring.
“Do you have me on speed dial?” he asked.
“It’s a modern phone, Zach. Everyone’s on speed dial.”
“Hmm. I’m beginning to think we might be friends.”
