When I wake up, I'm met with silence. My eyes flutter open as moonlight spills softly into the room. Everything is still. Peaceful. The glow casts gentle shadows across the floor, painting the space in a calming silver hue.
I lie there for a moment, letting the quiet wrap around me like a blanket. The ache in my head throbs steadily behind my eyes, but I ignore it for now. It's rare to feel this kind of peace—especially here.
I turn my head and see Xavier asleep beside me. He looks so peaceful—so... calm. The constant storm that usually simmers behind his eyes is gone. In sleep, he almost looks human. Almost.
I reach out slowly, brushing a lock of hair from his forehead. The moment my fingers graze his skin, his eyes flutter open. He blinks a few times, adjusting to the soft dark, then finds me with his gaze.
"How are you feeling?" he asks, voice low and still heavy with sleep.
I wince, my fingers pressing lightly to my forehead. "My head hurts so much," I murmur.
He nods, his brow furrowing. "I'm not surprised. What do you remember?"
I hesitate. His eyes search mine, patient, but there's a weight behind his gaze that makes my chest tighten. Something inside me warns not to share the truth. I don't know why—but I lie.
"The last thing I remember... is laughing with Nicholas and Thomas."
His gaze softens a little, though his face remains unreadable. "Nothing after that?"
I shake my head. "No… I don't remember anything. Do you want to fill me in?"
A smirk tugs at the corner of his lips—but before I can ask why, I hear it.
His voice. In my head.
"In more ways than one."
I blink, startled. His mouth didn't move.
My heart stutters. Did I just hear his thoughts?
No. No, that's insane.
I push the idea away. I'm tired. Probably hallucinating. That has to be it.
He watches me, that faint smirk still lingering, then says aloud, "No."
His voice gentles again. "You passed out. I haven't left your side since. I was… concerned."
I nod slowly, trying to process it all. The memories, the gaps, the strange flutter of power that hums just beneath my skin now—it's all too much. I move closer, resting my head on his shoulder. His warmth, his steady presence, is more comforting than I expected.
"Thank you," I whisper.
"For what?" he asks softly.
I let out a breath, quiet and slow. "Existing."
Then I close my eyes and let the pull of sleep take me again.
The next time I wake, sunlight has replaced the moonlight, spilling golden and soft through the tall windows. The air feels different—lighter somehow, like something heavy has been lifted while I slept.
I sit up and stretch, taking in the silence, until my eyes catch something on the desk.
A small box. Carefully wrapped.
I climb out of bed, still groggy, and pad over to it. My fingers tug at the ribbon and peel the lid open. Inside rests a delicate butterfly necklace, the silver catching the morning light. A folded note slips out and flutters to the floor.
I crouch down, pick it up, and read:
Remember, I am in the shadows if you need me.I'm proud you resisted his magic. You are strong, Shay. Don't forget that.He can be kind and caring… but he doesn't like to be told "no."Not anymore. Not when it comes to power.See you soon.—Damian
A soft smile tugs at my lips. "See you soon," I whisper.
Then I hear footsteps echoing in the hallway.
I glance down at the note. I can't risk keeping it.
I summon a flicker of magic in my palm and hold the paper to it. Flames rise and devour the message until only ash remains—just as Xavier steps into the room.
"You should be resting," he says gently.
I turn to him, arching a brow. "I passed out, not died."
He pauses, lips twitching like he's torn between a smile and a sigh.
"I don't want to be babied," I add, calm but firm.
He lets out a long breath. "Just until tomorrow."
"Whatever. I want breakfast in bed though."
He raises a brow. "Alright. I'll ask the cook. What do you want?"
"Bacon. A lot of it. Sausages. Eggs. Beans. Basically everything. Oh—and waffles and pancakes."
He stares.
I shrug. "What? I'm hungry."
He gives a quiet nod, then turns and leaves the room.
I wander over to the window. The view stretches wide below—trees, stone paths, towers. The drop is steep. Dangerous. But part of me wonders… could I survive that?
"Shay."
His voice pulls me back.
"Yeah? What's up?"
"Move away from the window, please."
"I'm just admiring the view."
A pause.
"I want to take you out tomorrow," he says. "To see…" His tone shifts, colder. "A friend."
I turn and look at him. "Okay… who's the friend?"
"His name is Lucien."
I blink. "As in the Lucien? The Lycan King? Jessie's ex-husband—the one she left for you?"
"Yes. You know a lot."
"I read."
He nods once. "Your dad thinks he might be able to help us figure out what happened."
I sigh. "I passed out."
He watches me closely, but doesn't speak.
"Unless something else happened, and you're not telling me."
He rolls his eyes.
But then—"Only if she knew."
His voice again. In my head. Clear as day.
I scoff aloud.
He frowns. "What?"
"You didn't answer."
"I'm telling you everything I know. Which is why we need to see Lucien."
As Xavier opens his mouth like he's about to say something important, I brace myself.
But all he says is, "Your food is here."
Then he turns and walks out, just as a woman enters carrying a silver tray.
I let out a long, dramatic sigh and flop back onto the bed.
Dick.