Rowan was searching aimlessly for the dream Colin mentioned at the tavern. Maybe she should just wake up and warn Morgan. But if Zeke was in danger, Rowan had to learn more.

There! Something in the woods.

Rowan ran after it. She heard buzzing of large wings. The deeper into the woods she ran, the louder the buzzing.

She ran out of the woods and found herself on the beaches of Haven.

It was definitely Haven. Rowan recognized the otters and the violet canopy.

But the otters were screaming. All of Haven was screaming.

Adam was there in the air, and he was erasing everything. His long golden hair and elegant tailored robes fluttered in the breeze. His left hand was extended, bearing the Shell Gauntlet, and everywhere Adam pointed was reduced to mist and dust, carried away by the ocean wind and waves.

Everything. Adam would destroy everything.

Rowan had to do something.

-8-

Reynard woke up.

Judging by the dim light out, he figured he’d slept the entire day. He jumped out of bed and ran into the house. He found Morgan and Hinata on the porch chair sipping tea and watching the sunset. Heavy clouds were overhead, but not over the ocean, and the sun threw a spectrum of colors against the sky. They huddled closer to make space for Reynard to join them. Hinata poured Reynard a cup.

The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

He thanked them, sat down, and sipped the rose and berry concoction. Reynard was distressed but he was also thousands of years old, and he knew the value of patience. He took a slow breath in and sipped his tea.

“Lilith has Sam,” Reynard began. “She knows about Zeke. She will likely send troops here next looking for him. And have you had a dream of Adam destroying a small island with a giant violet tree?”

Morgan looked as if she’d been punched in the stomach. “Shit! I’m sorry about Sam. I’ve had nightmares of Adam for a long time, but I think you’re asking about the Mothman.”

“Who is the Mothman? I’ve never heard of such a creature.”

“I don’t know much. You know I leave the forest folk to their own bloody business. They’re so damn superior. Drya never deigns me with an audience. But they sent a pixie messenger a few years back informing us about the new forest denizen. I don’t know how he got here or where he came from. But once the Mothman arrived, people’s dreams started coming true sometimes. Not every time but sometimes. Lately it’s been a bit more intense. Almost every night, I’ve had the dream you’re talking about. I don’t know the place, but I recognize Adam, and I remember him doing the same thing to Crescent.” Morgan trembled.

Hinata held Morgan’s hand and continued, “Gwen took it the hardest. Ever since those dreams started, it’s as if she’s slipping away. She’s less herself everyday. She wakes up screaming every morning. She forgets where she is. She forgets to drink. She acts like a child. We don’t know what’s happening or how to help her.”

Morgan added, “We can’t leave with Gwen sick like this. And where would we go? She needs familiar spaces. I think the dreams are making her sick. But I can’t leave her alone. She’s too dangerous. We need someone to go into the deep woods and stop the Mothman. And we need to prepare for Lilith’s attack.”

Hinata continued, “Which would be easier if Gwen were able to help, but she’s been a handful. She sleep walks, she forgets how strong she is, and she forgets to drink. She’s attacked us, mostly me. Morgan has been able to subdue her but she doesn’t wake up easy. We’ve been slipping a sleeping draught in her dinner.”

Gwendalyn! Reynard’s darling little death. No, Rowan’s darling. And Rowan was the one who had to enter the woods to speak with Drya.

Reynard returned to Rowan’s shape, with fox ears, claws, red fur, and a bushy tail.

“I will go into the woods and deal with this Mothman,” Rowan decided.

And without another word, Rowan stood up and ran into the woods.