The boundaries a fight for freedom.

-

a's

y bed and pulled the quilt over my head, panting and sweating as images from my dream f

or. It creaked as it opened, and I winced, praying the sound hadn't woken anyone. When the gap w

ight guide my steps. A breeze blew through the curtains

ted by a sky full of stars, the moon shining brightly above. They were my hope-my promise that one d

ng at the glittering sky. Peace at last. I inhale

-

m sleep. My vision was blurry at first, but I

y to spend the night,

replied, smiling. "It

ream a

afraid it's more

do you

was a warnin

e faded. "

rubbed the ba

ring you that

ready to recount it. Eve leaned

-

ith bodies and blood. The sun scorched the earth, yet the bl

I approached, thorn-covered trees-sickle-shaped-erupted from the ground,

, vines with thorns wrapped around my legs, dragging me toward the monstr

d sickle trees couldn't reach me. I collapsed against its trunk, catching my brea

he valley had vanished, re

it. The white horse beside me tensed, and I could sense danger approaching

hesitati

er horse-a battle steed with a rider clad in silver armor. He wielded

struck-slashing the neck of my horse. We crashed. Dust filled th

hy are you chas

oice that felt

You think you can run from me? I

ristopher's. But that coul

e and knocked off his mask. It wasn't Uncle Christopher after all-

ecting you, Az

an dressed in all b

u want to die, Jarel,

fight. Let's dance, Azreal,' Ja

er, swords clashing, rel

I wok

-

noticed Eve wa

" I c

ca. I got d

ed. What

. But your dream-th

hat abo

er seen them before? Or

I'm only lucky when Uncle Christopher comes for lessons.

s... o

ered, inte

requests your presence. She wants

com

She rarely involves you when

like tha

and the mansion g

uest has arriv

ge drawn by eight white royal horses pulled int

he driver's seat and opened the carriage door. A strange

an stepped out

caught. I stumbled back, almost

What's

the man fro

ossible. Ar

another lo

r eyes met-and I froze. I pulled back immediatel

-

tion made the y

side him noticed. "Mas

the young man said wi

he mansion d

a feminine voice calle

-