Koa Ashbourne
Is she okay??
Slater Havoc
Rune?! Answer or I’m breaking into your House.
Drecken Grimsworn
Another nightmare?
Jesper Wyvernheart
Dimitri, report to us. Now.
Dimitri’s thumbs flew over the screen.
Rune Bloodwyne
She’s awake. Nightmare. I’ve got her. -Dimitri
I took the phone with shaky fingers.
Rune Bloodwyne
Sorry. It was just a dream. I think.
Drecken Grimsworn
Define “just.”
Rune Bloodwyne
Felt like a drude. Saw something in the corner watching.
Drecken Grimsworn
Stay put.
A bright blue glow flared at the foot of the bed, and Drecken appeared in a swirl of cold air.
“How are you feeling?” he asked, already moving toward me and reaching for my wrist.
“I’m slightly shaken but okay.”
His fingers were cool, magic prickling along my skin as he murmured under his breath. Symbols bloomed faintly over my forearm, then sank into my skin, leaving a warm tingle behind.
“Warding,” he explained. “Basic anti-nightmare layering. If a drude tries to slip in again, it’ll at least get a nasty shock. Unfortunately, it’s not foolproof.”
“Comforting,” I said dryly.
He closed his eyes, focusing, his magic sliding over me in a way that would’ve made me moan if I hadn’t been so shaken.
After a long moment, he exhaled. “I’m not sensing demonic residue. No lingering drude signature. If it was one, it either didn’t anchor, or it’s powerful.”
“Great,” I muttered. “So either I’m having a shitty reaction to killing Darian, or I’m interesting to something creepy and powerful.”
He smiled. “You’re always interesting to powerful things.” His expression softened. He pressed a quick kiss to my forehead. “If it happens again, tell me immediately. Nightmares are one thing. Drudes are another.”
