Shimmer (Riley Bloom 2)

Something about consequences and actions.

Something about the Council’s ability to give and take at will.

Something about the fact that because of what I’d done, because of my failure to follow his orders, it was really quite possible that by the time we left here, neither of us would ever glow again.

Knowing I had to act fast, knowing I had to do whatever it took to get them to see my side of things, I charged ahead. Whatever Bodhi was up to, I was sure it wouldn’t work in my favor. He’d let me know, on plenty of occasions, just how much of a burden he found me.

I had no time for trouble. No time to waste. I’d just learned something extraordinary, had just heard about some mysterious dimension where all the dreams take place—and I was determined to find it.

Bodhi couldn’t be trusted. And when it came right down to it, it was every man, er, make that ghost, for himself. So I squeezed him right out and took center stage.

He gasped in astonishment, tried to push me away, but he was too late and I was too fast, and before he could do anything more, I was already standing smack-dab in front of the Council.

I was ready to tell them my side of things.

My story. My way.

And I was just about to begin when I noticed how Aurora’s aura grew dimmer, and then dimmer still, as the rest of the Council’s followed suit. Darkening in a way that made my mouth grow so dry and my throat go so lumpy the words wouldn’t come.

Leaving me to stand there, shaky, mute, and completely abandoned by Bodhi, my guide, the one person whose job it was to help me.

His eyes meeting mine, he shook his head and smirked, leaving no doubt in my mind just how much he’d enjoy watching me burn.