Chapter 20: Darker

The nightmares had been worse than they had ever been lately. The absence of Ethan palpable in every dream. They were darker. Harder. Bloodier.

Sebastian had been called away for an emergency meeting earlier. Skylark too. They were both supposed to be here tonight, yet here I was alone. I had trouble falling asleep and when I did the graveyard dream was immediate and pain inducing. I could not escape it. Not without Ethan’s help. The dark stalker found me quicker, I didn’t even have the time to run for the Mausoleum. Where sometimes Ethan and I could stay hidden. Sometimes.

I felt arms holding me. Softly shaking. Somebody was whispering sweet nothings in my ear. I felt my cheeks were hot and wet with tears but the sleep paralyses kept me from wiping them off. Noises were escaping my mouth, but as with every lucid dream, I had trouble snapping out of the nightmare.

‘Lux, please. Wake up. Wake up!’ his voice reached me now. Pulling me out of the graveyard.

I screamed upon waking and instantly fell into racking sobs. Strong arms held me against a hard chest. ‘It’s okay… it’s okay. You are safe.’ It was Andrew’s voice.

I blinked up at him. My entire body shaking. I was covered in sweat. Tears kept on streaming and he was glancing at me with such worry in his eyes, my heart clenched in on itself.

He was in his black boxers, hair dishevelled, eyes small from sleep but big with fear somehow. I had woken him from sleep. ‘Where is Sebastian?’ he added darkly. I just shook my head. ‘He had to leave.’

‘Goddammit…’ he cursed under his breath and ran his hand through his hair. ‘He never should have-….’ He didn’t finish the sentence. ’Is it always this bad, princess?’

I nodded. ’It’s better when I’m not alone.’ I admitted. I didn’t want to tell this to the guys. They didn’t need the added stress of my sleep.

‘They don’t know do they?’

‘Not entirely…’ I sheepishly admitted, fixing my shirt so Andrew didn’t see half of my boob hanging out. Ash knew a little.

He sat down next to me. ‘Shit princess, I thought somebody was murdering you in your sleep.’ I saw the discarded gun on the floor. He had barged in the door for me guns blazing. It warmed my heart a little.

‘I appreciate that.’ I admitted. Feeling embarrassed now.

‘You want some water or something.’ He stared at me, compassion still lacing his usual smirking eyes.

I shook my head. ‘I’ll be fine… I’m sorry for waking you and… scaring you.’ I left my bed and went to the bathroom. Splashed some water on my face.

‘Will you be okay tonight?’

‘Yes I will.’ I lied. I won’t sleep again for the rest of this night.

‘Just… yell if you need anything. Or call. Whatever.’ He was awkward himself now. He just did this half wave thing and walked out of the room. I was now alone with my thoughts. I might as well read some more of those books about Faerie because sleep was not in the cards for me for a while.