The Drowned Gods, #2
Stranger Skies
by Pascale Lacelle
Contents
Chapter 37: Kai
Overview
Kai, sleeping in the past, forges a real-time dream link with Emory and Romie. He learns allies survived to the Wastes, the worlds are dying, and a threat escaped the sleepscape. As umbrae close in, Emory begs secrecy. Kai withholds the truth from Baz before the games, accepting the burden of guilt.
Summary
Kai finally reconnects with Emory in the sleepscape after two fruitless days, drawn by a powerful, familiar pull on the eve of the games. He finds Emory calmer than before and unexpectedly joined by Romie, with visible dream-threads linking Emory to each of them as the scene flickers between beach and cave.
They confirm the connection is real despite Kai and Baz being two centuries in the past. Romie reveals that Nisha, Virgil, and Vera reached the Wychwood and that their group now travels the Wastes. She explains the worlds are dying and they aim for the sea of ash to heal them—conditions grimmer than Clover’s book suggests.
Emory adds that something escaped the sleepscape and tried to kill the Wychwood’s key, heightening the threat beyond dreams. As an oppressive darkness gathers and umbrae seem to press in, Romie hurriedly wakes, asking Kai to tell her brother she misses him.
Alone with Kai, Emory pleads that he not tell Baz, fearing it would distract him before the games. Kai rebukes her secrecy but, as the connection strains, he urges her to wake. Back in his room, Kai chooses to keep the encounter from Baz until he understands more, convincing himself it protects Baz even as guilt gnaws at him.
Who Appears
- KaiReconnects with Emory and Romie in the sleepscape; learns grim news; chooses to keep the meeting from Baz before the games.
- EmoryMeets Kai and Romie in a stabilized dream; reports a threat escaped the sleepscape; asks Kai to keep their contact secret from Baz.
- RomieConfirms allies reached the Wastes; says the worlds are dying and they seek the sea of ash; wakes as umbrae press in.