Zac and the Dream Stealers

by Ross Mackenzie

  A look of great surprise crossed Tinn’s face, and the old man met Granny’s gaze for a long moment before answering calmly.

  “Zac,” he began, “do you know that while you have been asleep, the Dream Stealers have ceased attacking Wakeling spirits in the Dream Plains?”

  Zac’s mouth fell open. “You think I had something to do with that? You think I wasn’t just dreaming?”

  “I cannot be sure,” said Tinn. He thought carefully for a few seconds, as though making up his mind. “Zac, when the oracle told me your grandmother was one of the Trinity . . . well . . . that wasn’t quite the whole story. He never actually gave us her full name. He only ever said ‘Wonder.’ ”

  “Now hang on a minute, Rumpous,” said Granny sharply.

  “All I’m saying is, there’s more than one person in this room who answers to that name,” said Tinn, holding up his hands.

  Zac let this wash over him for a moment. “So you’re saying the oracle might have been talking about me and not Granny?”

  “Rubbish!” yelled Granny. “He’s a child!”

  “And where is it written that children are not capable of great and daring acts?” said Tinn. He looked at Zac, his eyes twinkling. “Your experience in the Dream Plains, Zac, the dream you mentioned — and the fact that you can dream at all in Nocturne — makes me think that it is very possible the name Wonder referred to you. Furthermore, Noelle has described something rather strange to me. She said that when you first met her on the church roof, something happened — a magical energy passed between you. Is this correct?”

  “Yes, sir. It was like . . . like electricity. Do you think it means something?”

  Tinn rubbed his head. “Yes, Zac, I do. I think it may mean we have found another member of the Trinity.”

  “You mean Noelle?”

  “Indeed. There are cases throughout history, although admittedly very few, where a small group of people have been closely connected by magic. I have never seen this for myself until now, but I have read several theories on the phenomenon. It seems that, when brought together, the magical power of these people is increased. While we were escaping from the Dream Stealer lair, Noelle continued to surprise me with her talent. I have a feeling she might be special, and I have told her as much. I believe you share such a connection with her.”

  “Enough!” said Granny. “I won’t let you put Zac’s life in danger like this. If the Dream Stealers find out that you believe he’s one of the Trinity —”

  “But that’s just the point, Eve,” said Tinn. “They haven’t the foggiest! In fact, they believe you are the threat. If we keep it that way, then we may be able to protect Zac — to take the heat off him, as it were.”

  This seemed to get Granny thinking, and Zac took the opportunity to ask another question.

  “Back at the church,” he began, “something else happened. Just before I hit Shadow with that spell, that ugly Dream Stealer attacked me. I thought I was a goner. And then . . . then this vampire helped me! A boy.”

  “Are you certain he was a vampire?” said Granny.

  “I’m sure. I saw his fangs. But I haven’t got to the really strange part yet.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Well, he helped me up, and when he touched me, I felt the same magical electricity as I did with Noelle. If that energy means we’re connected — that we’re the Trinity — then something’s up, because that would mean one of the Trinity is a vampire.”

  Tinn looked thoughtful, as though deciding on something with great care. “It is entirely possible,” he said at last. “I wonder how I could have overlooked . . .”

  “But who is he?” pressed Zac. “How do we find him? And how can we convince him to help us?”

  “Let’s not worry about that for the moment,” said Tinn. “What you have revealed to me is interesting — very interesting indeed. I shall think on the matter. In the meantime, if I am correct, we have definitely found two of the Trinity, two missing pieces of the jigsaw. Is something the matter, Eve?”

  Granny was looking glum. “If Zac really is one of the Trinity,” she said, “then I suppose there’s nothing I can do about it. But I want your promise, Rumpous, that he’ll be kept as safe as possible.”

  “Granny,” said Zac, “I don’t need to be packed in bubble wrap.”

  “You have my word, Eve,” said Tinn solemnly.

  Zac’s head was spinning. “So what now?” he said.

  Tinn stood up with a groan and leaned heavily on his cane. “Now? We enjoy Christmas! After that? Well, I have a few ideas, but we’ll get to those soon enough. And I would certainly recommend that you develop your mysterious ability to fend off Dream Stealers.”

  Zac nodded.

  “Oh, Mr. Tinn?”

  “Yes, dear boy?”

  “I was just wondering. If the Dream Stealers manage to repair the other locator compass . . . will they be able to use it to find the Knights?” The thought of Dream Stealers creeping into The Forty Winks and murdering his friends made Zac’s blood turn to ice.

  “They’ll have quite a job. They’ll have to break the binding spell I cast over it first,” said Tinn kindly. “And you’ll be glad to know that because of Gideon’s treachery, the protective enchantments surrounding The Forty Winks have been reset and are now powerful enough to withstand even the strongest magic. Of that I am sure.” He tapped the side of his nose.

  Zac felt a rush of relief.

  “Now,” said Tinn, “I do hate to dash off, but there are things to be done. The life of a Grandmaster is rather a busy one. I’ve had a word with the people downstairs. They’ll let you go home tomorrow.”

  “Christmas Eve,” whispered Granny.

  “Thanks, Mr. Tinn,” said Zac. The thought of spending Christmas with his new friends made his heart leap.

  “Not a problem,” said Tinn. He pulled a golden watch from his pocket. “Oh, by the stars!” he said. “I really must be going.”

  With a cheery wave and a swish of his white robe, the old man swept from the room. After he had gone, Zac and Granny sat in silence for a time.

  Questions filled Zac’s head to bursting. Why had the Dream Stealers stopped attacking Wakelings so suddenly? Had it really been something to do with his experience in the Dream Plains? Had they stopped for good? Was Granny’s job done? Was the Waking World safe? And what about this business with the Trinity? Could Tinn be right? Could he really be one of only three people who could stop the Dream Stealers?

  Anyway, he was going to be a Knight. At least, he was going to try. But what if he found out Tinn was wrong? What if he wasn’t very good at magic? What if everything he’d done so far had been blind luck? He imagined Rumpous Tinn having to tell Granny that there had been some mistake, and that Zac should just go back to the Waking World. He saw himself pleading to stay, working behind the bar in The Forty Winks and taking orders from Barnaby while Tom and Tilly went off on grand adventures without him.

  A little bell rang, signaling the end of visiting hours, and Zac was jerked from his thoughts. Granny wrapped herself up warmly and kissed him on the forehead. He watched her leave, then rolled over to look out the window, thinking of Christmas at The Forty Winks with all his friends.

  Twist, the lopsided Dream Stealer, lay shivering in bed, his sheets soaked with sweat, even though it was freezing in the tiny cabin. Outside, the wind whistled through the trees, drowning out the snap and crackle of the dying fire.

  The slightest creak made him jump.

  As soon as he’d lost the Knights back on that church roof, he’d known that he couldn’t go back to face Shadow. He’d seen her stabbed by some urchin girl, then thrown from the roof by that ridiculous old man — but he knew deep down that her dark magic would have saved her, and that she would be hungry for revenge. Despite his injuries — inc
luding that crushing blow to the head from a vampire — he’d managed to make his way to the Eternal Forest. After a day or two of aimless wandering, he’d stumbled upon this cabin, and the kindly old couple who’d lived here had taken him in and treated his wounds. He’d told them he’d been hurt in a hunting accident.

  As the days had passed, his strength had begun to grow. He realized he could never return. Shadow would kill him as soon as she set eyes on him. So he’d decided to stay where he was. Getting rid of the old couple had been easy. They were frail, and didn’t put up much of a fight. Now he was alone. Shadow would never know. Maybe she’d think he’d been killed in the battle, or taken away and eaten by goblins.

  She wouldn’t find him here.

  She couldn’t.

  And yet he found himself unable to shake her image from his mind.

  At times he thought he could feel her eyes on him . . . sense her searching . . . grasping at the air around him.

  He shook himself.

  No . . . he was safe here. Nobody even knew he was still breathing.

  He closed his eyes. After a while, the gentle patter of snow on the windowpane lulled him into an uneasy sleep.

  He was woken in the middle of the night by a tapping on the window.

  This time it wasn’t the snow.

  Dread filled his insides. He pulled the covers over his misshapen face and prayed that whatever it was would just go away.

  Tap tap tap.

  Twist peeked over the blanket toward the window. The curtains were drawn, but he could see movement outside. Something was there!

  He crept from the bed and stood at the window for a moment.

  Tap tap tap.

  His guts twisted with fear. Slowly, he reached for the curtains, his heart punching against the inside of his chest, and pulled them apart.

  He screamed.

  Raven, the vampire leader, stared back at him from the other side of the glass.

  The Dream Stealer stumbled backward and fell hard onto the cold floor. Blinded by panic, he pulled himself up and headed for the door, tearing it open.

  He froze.

  Two circles of black glass stared back at him through the falling snow.

  “Hello, Twist,” said Shadow. “We’ve been worried about you.”

  “M-my lady,” said Twist, thinking fast. “Thank the stars you have found me! I was injured, and became lost in these woods.”

  Shadow continued to stare. Raven appeared by her side.

  “Aren’t you going to invite us in?” he said, flashing his fangs.

  “Of course . . . please . . . ,” said Twist, stepping aside. Shadow and Raven entered. Twist closed the door and led them over to the warmth of the fire. He noticed Shadow was limping, but otherwise appeared unharmed.

  “Sit down,” said Shadow.

  Without a word, Twist pulled up a simple wooden chair and sat.

  She stood over him. “I am disappointed,” she said.

  “I can explain!” pleaded Twist. “I was hurt!”

  “So were others,” said Shadow. “And yet they did not scurry away into the darkness like rats. They died fighting. They died in an attempt to stop the Knights of Nod. You were in charge, Twist. You were supposed to deliver Eve Wonder to me. You let her slip through your fingers, and now everything I have worked toward is in danger of falling apart. The Knights are regrouping, growing stronger. If you had done your job, they would not be a problem.”

  “I can make it up to you,” said Twist. “I can help. I’ll get to the Dream Plains and feed, I can get my strength back and —”

  “That is not possible. I have been forced to ban any of us from entering the Dream Plains.”

  Twist stared at Shadow in disbelief. “Why?”

  “Because something is happening in there,” said Shadow. “A new power is present. Dream Stealers are being stalked, hunted.”

  “By what?”

  “I have not seen it for myself,” said Shadow. “But those who have call it the Silver Storm. They say it is made from smoke, like the spirit of a Wakeling, but it is immune to our dark magic. It has been protecting Wakelings, turning our spells against us. Since you abandoned us a week ago, a growing number of Dream Stealers have been affected each night. Many say they will never set foot in the Dream Plains again. I cannot allow any more of our number to come into contact with this being until I know more about it.”

  “Do you think it’s something to do with the Knights?”

  “I do not know.” Shadow looked at Raven.

  Raven handed something to the Dream Stealer leader. Twist recognized it instantly — it was his skull mask. Shadow held it up, running her gloved fingers over its surface, and a moment later the mask began to change. Twist watched as it turned to molten metal in Shadow’s hand and started to form another shape. Within seconds, Shadow was clutching a gleaming blade.

  Twist clasped his hands to his chest. “Please!” he begged. “I can make it up to you. I was going to come back, I was!” He nodded desperately at Raven. “Why have you forgiven him so readily?” he demanded. “He lost the Knights, too! He’s just as responsible.”

  Shadow leaned over him, her jet-encrusted mask so close that he could see his own terrified reflection in the circles of black glass over her eyes.

  “I have forgiven him, Twist, because I still regard him as being of some use. He was able to sniff out your hiding place, for example. You, on the other hand, have outlived your usefulness — and I cannot risk the chance that you might seek out the Knights and offer information in exchange for protection.”

  “But I’d never —”

  The blade flashed in the firelight, and Twist slumped lifelessly to the floor. Shadow tossed the dagger into the fire, where it turned back into a Dream Stealer mask and began to melt.

  “There is no time to waste,” she said, heading for the door. “Tonight we have rid ourselves of a tiresome insect, but there are others to worry about. We must find a way of exterminating the Knights of Nod. While they survive, my plans are in danger.”

  “What would you have me do?” said Raven.

  “Go back to your village. It would be safer to lay low for now.”

  “And you, my lady?” said Raven.

  Shadow reached into her cloak and produced the unfinished locator compass. It seemed to transfix her for a moment. Raven watched her with interest. She seemed different. Distracted. Worried, even.

  “I have much to do,” she said finally. She put the instrument back in her cloak and opened the front door to the driving snow. She motioned toward Twist’s body. “Enjoy your supper,” she said. “I will be in touch.”

  And then she was gone.

  “Wake up, mate! It’s Christmas!”

  Zac leapt out of bed.

  “Ouch!”

  He’d forgotten about his leg.

  “You ought to be careful,” said Tom. “You’ll end up back in Sweet Dreams. C’mon, let’s go!”

  Tom raced out into the hallway. Zac hobbled after him as fast as he could.

  “Wow!” he heard Tom yell.

  Zac sped up. There was an enormous Christmas tree in the hall, just outside the double doors to Tinn’s quarters. Below the tree was a mountain of parcels. By the time Zac had caught up with him, Tom had already unwrapped three of his presents. He was holding a golden ticket for a year’s subscription to Myth and Magic, and had managed to stuff a whole bag of Saccharina Fudge’s Finest Treacle Toffee into his mouth.

  “Ook at all da pwesents,” he managed to say.

  Tilly and Noelle appeared and rushed over to the pile of gifts.

  “Merry Christmas, everyone,” said Tilly.

  “Merry Christmas,” they replied.

  The children ripped into the pile of present
s and stuffed their faces with every kind of sweet imaginable. One of Zac’s gifts from Granny was a Stenchfinder. It was a huge fake nose made from rubber that was supposed to be able to sniff out lost objects. The others collapsed laughing when he put it on, but he made them all find a hiding place, eager to see if he could smell them out. It worked brilliantly. An hour later, after they’d all had a turn, they laughed and joked under the twinkling tree before passing out, exhausted.

  Christmas Day passed in a blur, as is always the way when people are having such fun. With the exception of Mrs. Huggins, everyone was there: Tinn, Cornelius, Julius . . . even Rigby Sundown and his wolf, Maggie, had been invited. There were party games, and Christmas crackers that exploded like fireworks, and the feast was fantastic.

  Zac piled his plate high with turkey and ham and little sausages wrapped in smoked bacon. There was jelly and ice cream, and Christmas cake, and a flaming Christmas pudding that burned different colors. Tom gave Zac a bag of jelly snakes, and they wriggled all the way down to his belly.

  After the meal, Mr. Huggins took Tom and Tilly to Sweet Dreams to visit their mother, who was awake and feeling much better. Everyone else decided that a nap was in order, and the room was soon full of snoring and belching.

  Granny hadn’t gone to sleep, though.

  “Fancy a little walk?” she asked Zac.

  “Why not?” he said.

  “Where are we going?” he asked as Granny took him through the double doors to the abandoned corridor he knew so well.

  “Just through here.”

  Granny opened the doors to the cavernous library and led him in. It was even larger than he remembered. There were books everywhere, reaching up into the darkness. The air was thick with dust.

  “What’s going on?” said Zac.

  Granny smiled. “When I first became an apprentice,” she said, “my father gave me a gift.” She lifted the spare pair of spectacles from around her neck and unscrewed the magic arm. “These are what he gave me.”

  Zac stared at the glasses.