I saved her.
You chose for her.
For her own good.
Or was it for your good, Eryx?
My throat tightens. I don’t argue. Was it selfish of me to save her life? Would she have eventually come to the conclusion I came to, but naturally, if I’d allowed everything to play out?
Did I push too much too fast?
Did I take away her right and push on her what I wanted?
I rake my fingers down my face. I always let her choose.
Except then,Nightmare quietly reminds me.
I didn’t want her to die.
And now she won’t come back, it murmurs.
That lands. Not as an accusation.
As a fact.
I close my eyes.If she doesn’t come back,I say slowly,then what’s the point?
Nightmare doesn’t rush to answer, because I think we both know the truth.
The magic in the room dims. Something inside me lets go. Maybe this is what peace looks like.
I sit on the chaise long enough for my thoughts to go quiet.
With Chelsea gone, at least she’s safe. Separate from me, no one will hurt her.
That sinks in deep, and I realize with clarity that I don’t care what happens to me anymore. I'm too tired to fight. And maybe I deserve what’s coming for me.
That’s when the door to the dream room creaks open.
“I said I didn’t want to be disturbed.”
“Oh, am I disturbing you?”
That voice—so many questions are inside my head. The most logical is:how did you get past my security?
But I don’t care.
I don’t turn.
“I was wondering how long it would take you to break,” Helena says.
I let my gaze drift toward her. “You want the darkness?” My voice sounds distant even to me. “It’s yours.”
She smiles slowly, like a jackal. “I will gladly take what’s inside you.”
The shadows at the edges of the room twitch.
Eryx,Nightmare says.
