Page 89 of The Last Aether

I laid a hand over his heart. “I need to talk to you about something.” His muscles stiffened beneath my palm. “Nothing bad, promise.”

“Okay.”

“You don’t have to cut Eva out of your life. I was never asking you to do that. I just didn’t want you playing pretend boyfriend.” I let out a breath. “It was too hard. And I was jealous.”

Riven stared down at me. “I don’t want to give you any reason to doubt.”

“I know that, but I’ve been selfish. You and Eva have been friends since birth. It’s not right for me to ask you to just cut that off.”

He was quiet for a moment. “You know, I think you two would get along if you got to know each other.”

I winced. “I’m not sure I’d go that far. I think she has feelings for you that go beyond friendship.”

Riven blinked a few times. “Seriously?”

“A girl can tell those kinds of things.”

“I never gave her any reason to think—”

“I know. I just wanted you to have a heads-up so you can be mindful of her feelings.”

Riven leaned forward, his lips brushing my temple. “You’ve got one of the best hearts I’ve ever known.”

“Yours isn’t too shabby either. Even if it is a little stalker-y.”

Riven barked out a laugh. “Stalking is my love language.”

“We might want to get you seeing someone for that…”

* * *

I tossed and turned. It was as if I was sleeping and awake at the same time. Restless and unable to completely descend into unconsciousness, yet not fully alert either.

Aura, come outside.

I jerked at the voice, my gaze going to the sleeping forms next to me. All the guys were here, snoring away.

Get up.

It was as if there was a pull I couldn’t deny. I was moving without my permission, throwing back the covers and moving towards the end of the bed.

I tried to yell for the guys, but my mouth wouldn’t obey. It was as if I were a robot and someone else held the controls.

Panic lit through me as I descended the stairs on autopilot.

Come to the back door and open it.

That voice. It was so familiar. But the fogginess in my brain kept me from latching on to the who.

I tried to reach out and grab hold of the doorway or a weapon, but my arms wouldn’t respond. Tears leaked from my eyes as I opened the door and stepped outside. I frantically looked around for a guard, but all was deathly silent.

That’s it. Walk into the woods. Towards the clearing.

Blood roared in my ears as my feet followed the voice’s instructions, taking me farther and farther into the forest. I searched for signs of anyone, but there was nothing.

My chest heaved as I reached the center of the clearing. I tried to move, to run, but my body still wouldn’t listen. I tried to scream, but no sound came.

Fire erupted around me. A ring of flames so high I’d never seen anything like it.