Frostbrood ice.
More flashing forward through events—a storm of white noise and scratches consuming most of the images of me running through icy tunnels, the man behind me. My lightfeet skill kept me from slipping in the tunnels wide enough for us to stand in.
The man stayed hidden, muttering something inaudible.
Hissing sounded from behind us.
I glanced over my shoulder.
There were frostbrood hunting us, just around the bend.
“Keep moving!” I bellowed, picking up the pace.
A puff of silvery smoke and the crystal dagger appeared in my hand.
Flash, flash.
Icy claws in my belly, the frostbrood landing a killing blow.
Flash, flash.
The man screaming, pain, pain, pain. So much blood. My blood, sunlight in my eyes. Almost free, too much damage?—
Screaming darkness.
Let me out!
Let me out!
Let me out!
I woke up with a scream.
“Sugar!” a woman yelped.
“Let me out!” I roared, heart a gong in my chest, panic coming at me in a full-on assault.
Dagger.
Dagger mine.
I see it. I see it glisten, I feel it want, I long for it because I am full.
Full of all.
Full of everything.
Full of??—
I kicked out and lunged forward, crawling across the sofa, throwing myself off the edge. Landing in a heap, I curled into a ball, whimpering, the screams of the darkness still rampant in my ears.
“Paris!”
Floral essence filled me up, giving me the strength to leap to my feet.
Let me out!
Let me out!
