Read Dream Unchained for Free Online Page B

failure?
    Was Dink afraid? Excited? Frustrated by his inability to report on such a huge event? There was no way Mac could tell—not from the enigmatic expression on his friend’s face.
    The door opened, tugging Mac away from his meandering thoughts. He glanced up as Finn sauntered into the dining hall. “How’d it go, Finn?”
    â€œQuiet.” Talking over his shoulder, he went straight to the coffee. “Tara and Duran were with me last night before I took my shift, but no one showed up at all while I was in the shack. It was actually more spooky than lonely.”
    Mac straightened and caught Morgan’s sharp glance. “No one at all? No contact?”
    Finn shook his head. “Not a thing. I figure they’re taking the time to build up energy for when the exodus starts tonight.”
    â€œCould be, but I expected some contact. Did Cameron say anything about visitors?” It wasn’t easy to keep the tension out of his voice. They were so close, but so many things could go wrong.
    Finn sat down with a bagel between his teeth, his cup of coffee in one hand and a cinnamon roll in the other. He set the coffee down. Placed the bagel on top of the roll. “Yep. Said he had two women show up and finally figured out what all the fuss was about. I think he’s sorry he spent so much time with Nattoch.” He laughed, took a swallow of coffee and a bite of the bagel. “Last night was his first night with any of the Nyrians. I imagine he’s hoping it won’t be his last.”
    Mac chuckled. Cameron fascinated him. Brilliant with an amazingly creative mind and a grasp of concepts, logistics, and planning that rivaled any of the other unbelievably intelligent members of the dream team, and yet he looked—and sometimes acted—about fifteen. It was hard to imagine the kid with two seductive Nyrian females, but it explained why he hadn’t shown up for breakfast this morning.
    A funny little chill raced across his shoulders. Lizzie popped into his head, but the thought was faint, and he hated to intrude on the girl’s fantasies. Then the overhead lights in the dining hall dimmed. Flickered for a moment or two before returning to full strength.
    An unexpected drain on their energy? What would cause that? Their power supply was damned good, unless something was interfering with the operation. He thought of the protestors at the front gate, the fire that had been intentionally set, and wondered if they were up to more trouble.
    No. Ralph was keeping an eye on the bastards. Mac pushed the thought aside, but just as he reached for his coffee, the door to the dining area shot open. Kiera hung on to the handle, eyes wide and hair streaming behind in an unruly mass of curls.
    She stood for a moment in the open doorway, chest heaving as she gasped for breath. “You’ve got to come to the dream shack. Lizzie’s got her hands full.”
    Mac was on his feet and heading for the door before the others had even reacted. “What’s happened?”
    â€œNyrians.” Kiera sucked in a deep breath. “A whole shitload of ’em just showed up. Lizzie thinks they have their soulstones but they’re way ahead of schedule and scared to death. All I know is what Liz ’pathed to me. I was on my way here, closer to the lodge, so I didn’t take time to go check.” She spun about and headed back to the shack with Mac on her heels. Morgan, Finn, and Dink were right behind them.
    Cameron must have heard the commotion, because he raced across the open area and caught up to them as they reached the dream shack. Mac threw open the door. The small building was absolutely packed with people, all dressed alike in either loose pants or tunics. Lizzie was on her knees beside the tote bag holding Zianne in her arms. Two Nyrian women appeared to be sharing energy with the tiny squirrel.
    â€œHey, Mac. Guys.” Lizzie looked up with a rather