But the air swirled around me, the Sanctuary a tangible presence.
It’s my mind playing tricks on me,I told myself.You’re fine. There’s no one here.
Except my hand was still against that cold, unmoving object. And it certainly felt fucking real.
As did Fare’s fingers as he brushed my hair from my face.
And his lips that he pressed to my ear in a falsely tender kiss.
The hairs along my arms danced in response to his nearness, his familiarity, hispresence.Not real. Not real. Not real.
“Hello, pet,” he greeted, his voice silky and lacking the typical gravel of my nightmares. “I think it’s time for you to come home, hmm?”
My eyes flew open, the room around me light with bright color.
My nest,I breathed, my palm landing against my sweat-soaked shirt.Thank fuck.
Except on my pillow, right beside my head, was a wilted black flower.
And next to it was a note written in blood that read,Let’s play…
I sat bolt upright.
The scent of blood lingered in the air, stronger than ever, and inky petals decorated my floor.
No.My heart skipped several beats.No, no, no.That wasn’t fucking possible. This… I… I had to still be dreaming. Another twisted nightmare blending my past with reality.
“I’d nearly forgotten how appetizing your fear can be, pet.” The words danced ominously around my room, whispering against my ears while the source of them remained hidden. “Dreamwalking just hasn’t been satisfying enough.”
Fare materialized before me, his red eyes glittering like a raging fire.
“No,” I breathed. “This isn’t real.”
His cruel mouth twisted into a smile. The kind of smile that could easily seduce an unknowing victim for the night.
But I knew that smile.
I knewhim.
And while he might wear a gorgeous face, he was positively ugly inside. Evil incarnate.
Dead.
“This isn’t possible,” I told myself more than him. “I killed you.”
This is just a super creepy, horribly realistic dream.
“I’ve always considered you an intelligent pet,” he murmured. “But it’s rather unwise to open old wounds so soon after being reacquainted with a lover.” He took a step closer to my bed. “It could incite feelings of anger. The need for retribution. A desire toreturn the favor.”
He lifted his hand to my face to draw one cold finger across my cheekbone, the touch making my teeth chatter uncomfortably.
“I would much rather celebrate this reunion,” he cooed. “After all, I’ve worked so hard to achieve it. All those years lying in wait. Such an intricate game to play, and it took far longer than I’d ever anticipated. But you’ll make it up to me, won’t you?”
His touch moved to my neck, his fingers reminding me of a snake as they slowly curled around my throat and squeezed.
I was frozen. Immobile. Lost in time.
This isn’t real,I kept thinking. Except it sounded more like a hopeful plea than a confident statement.
