Title: The Dreamcatcher, novella to The
Dreamland Series
Author: E.J. Mellow
Release Date: Feb 26, 2016
Synopsis:
He captured hearts
and now he’s captured the spotlight.
Experience The Dreamcatcher,
a novella comprised of scenes from The Dreamer told from Dev’s point of view,
as well as seven extra scenes that did not appear in book one!
*This is a companion
piece to The Dreamland Series and is to be read AFTER The Dreamer for story
consistency and spoilers.
Chapter 1
The room was stifling with the influx
of bodies packed tight, and an anxious shuffling filled the windowless space as
the Nocturna guards tried to suppress their growing claustrophobia. If they
felt comfortable being contained within four walls, they would have chosen a
different profession. Dev cracked his knuckles one at a time, a restless habit
he’d acquired after being forced to appear at these biweekly gatherings. Even
though he’d graduated above the ranks of all the soldiers here, his spotty
attendance was not well received.
Alex’s rather verbose and overwrought
reprimand of him being a role model to the rest of the cadets still rang in his
ears. And it did the job to motivate him to show up so long as he never had to
endure that speech again. At least the old man was effective in his irritation.
Letting out an impatient breath, Dev watched
the stout general in the front of the room address the mass of soldiers. The
blue-white lights above highlighted the gray in Alex’s cropped hair, and his
burly chest puffed up at the end of his sentences. The information he shared
was always the same, or a close variation—the Metus numbers were slowly rising,
extra shifts were added to the schedules of every team, and Dev and Aveline
were continuously assigned to patrol the northern part of the grasslands
surrounding the city.
Glancing around the white space, it was
easy to discern Dev wasn’t alone in his eagerness to start today’s rounds. The
constant twirling of Arcuses, tapping of feet, and shifting of bodies were
subtle indicators for Alex to get on with it already.
“And make sure to report back every
sighting or anything else odd that occurs on your patrols,” the general
said—his routine closing line, which was followed by its usual collection of
relieved sighs.
“Thank Terra,” Aveline muttered beside
Dev as she stood from leaning against the wall. “I actually think I manifested
the ability to sleep during that.”
Dev gave his partner a wry glance. “At
least that would be one positive thing that would’ve come from attending these
things.”
“Yeah, well, still not worth it.”
Aveline pulled her long, pale hair into a ponytail and readjusted the Arcus
strap across her chest. “You ready?”
“Lead the way.” He inclined his head
toward the door.
Pressing tight into the cluster of
other guards all waiting to exit, Dev peered down as an arm brushed against his
backside. With the graze being more of a grope, he was not surprised to find
thick lips fashioned into a sly smirk pointed up at him.
“Oh, sorry,” the girl said in a
honey-laced voice. “Close quarters.” She gestured to the congested group as a
way of an explanation.
“Ah yes, I forgot you have issues
keeping your hands to yourself, Candice. Especially while in crowds.”
“You didn’t seem to think it was an
issue the other night.” Her gaze remained bold.
“And with you”—Dev leaned in—“I never
will.”
A snort came from in front of them, but
he ignored it, watching as a blossom of pink spread across Candice’s ebony
skin. He smiled crookedly. “Safe rounds,” he murmured and, with her features
still in a fluster, slipped through the door.
“You’re horrible,” Aveline said once they’d
traveled down the hall.
“Why?”
“Candice has no idea what she’s getting
into.”
“On the contrary, I think she has a
very clear idea. In fact, she usually comes up with all of them. And let me
tell you”—he arced a brow—“they can be pretty creatively flex—”
“Ugh, gag me with Metus
droppings, why don’t you?” Aveline shoved Dev’s shoulder. “That’s not
what I meant. You shouldn’t play with her like that. And yes, I realize I just
set you up for another disgusting innuendo, so just don’t.”
A half smile flirted across his lips.
“As long as you’re aware.”
“Dev,” she chastened.
“Ave, she knows I don’t do serious.
They all know.”
“Yeah, well, they have a funny way of
forgetting, and then I have to hear about it.”
“Oh, is that what this is about?” Dev
turned to her, realization dawning on his face. “You don’t have to be so
passive aggressive. If you want me to buy you earplugs, you just have to ask.”
She attempted to throw a punch to his
arm again, but he sidestepped, his amused chuckle echoing down the hall.
“I give up.” She stalked forward. “I’m
no longer covering for you when they come to me with death threats, asking
where you are.”
“I like to think of those more as
demands of passion.” He caught up with her in two long strides.
“I pity the next girl you meet,”
Aveline said with a shake of her head and pushed through the doors to the
outside. “I really do.”
Even though Dev laughed, deep down he
couldn’t help but agree. The place his heart should’ve been had been hollowed
out for decades. And though they’d all tried, desperately so, no one had yet
been the one to refill it.
And
Dev wasn’t sure if he ever wanted to encounter anybody who could.
About The Author
E.J. Mellow is the author behind the NA Contemporary Fantasy trilogy The Dreamland Series. When she's not busy moonlighting in the realm of make-believe, she can be found doodling, buried in a book (usually this one), or playing video games.
Residing in Brooklyn, NY she is currently working on the third and final book in her series.
