The Drowned Gods, #2
Stranger Skies
by Pascale Lacelle
Contents
Chapter 27: Kai
Overview
Kai discovers another Nightmare Weaver, Thameson Caine, and learns Polina’s rare Enshriner alignment. The group plans to visit an Eclipse salon for information, which Baz hopes will shed light on Timespinners.
These introductions broaden the magical landscape and hint at historical ties that may inform the group’s next moves.
Summary
Kai spends the night combing the sleepscape for the other Nightmare Weaver but finds no trace and gives up at sunrise. Waking in what looks like his old room, he heads downstairs to Baz and Polina, overhearing talk of alignments.
Polina reveals she is an Enshriner, able to extract memories from corpses and bind them to objects, a revelation that startles Kai. He then confronts the other Nightmare Weaver, accusing him of shoving Kai out of the sleepscape the previous night.
The boy apologizes, introducing himself as Thameson "Thames" Caine, calling his alignment a Fear Eater—an older term for Nightmare Weaver. Kai notes the surname Caine, recalling Farran, but holds his questions.
Thames and Polina invite them to an Eclipse salon; Baz, dressed to blend in, hopes to learn about past Timespinners. With brief, teasing banter between Baz and Kai, the group heads out together.
Who Appears
- Kai SalongaProtagonist; searches the sleepscape for another Nightmare Weaver, confronts Thames, and joins plans to visit an Eclipse salon.
- BazAlly and companion; shares coffee with Polina, aims to blend in, and seeks salon insights on past Timespinners.
- Thameson "Thames" CaineAnother Nightmare Weaver (called Fear Eater); apologized for ejecting Kai from the sleepscape and invites them to the Eclipse salon.
- PolinaReveals she is an Enshriner who binds memories from corpses; accompanies the group to the Eclipse salon.