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It was good,too good.

She pulled her lips from his, gasping for air. Then he moved down to her neck, kissing and licking her skin.

The world was spinning even more now.

What’s happening to me?

A pang of hunger had her stomach clenching even as desire swelled within her.

Suddenly, a familiar voice penetrated the darkness.

It sounded strangely distant, like she’d been submerged in water and the voice came from above the surface. The words were indistinguishable, but she could hear the fear in them. The desperation.

It was a woman’s voice, she realized.

Jessamine’s voice.

There was a slipping sensation inside her chest. As though she’d let go of a cord she hadn’t realized she’d held in the first place.

Elias pulled back, brows furrowed.

She tried to speak, but words felt leaden in her mouth. It was an effort to keep her eyes open. Elias stood, a look of confusion and fear marring his features before his body began to fade from existence.

In moments, he was gone.

“Elias!” she cried out, struggling to her knees. But she was too dizzy.

Then she awoke.

Chapter Twelve

ARABELLA

“Get your ass up,” Jessamine hissed. “We’re being hunted.”

Arabella shook her head, trying to collect herself. Trying to recall not just who she was, butwhereshe was.

That dream…

It had felt far too real.

Blinking, she glanced at the trees all around them. If she squinted, she could pretend she was in the forest outside of Shadowbank with its massive interlocking branches blocking out the sky. But when she looked closely, these trees were a few shades darker green than those in the mortal realm.

Nothing moved in the space between the trees, and a strange silence hung in the air.

A few feet away, Breckett and Hadeon were on their feet, blades drawn and backs pressed to nearby trees.

Jessamine crouched above Arabella with her own blades in hand.

“Demon?” Arabella asked as she hauled herself to her feet. “Or something else?”

She didn’t dare to hope it was the shadow fae.

Slowly, she pulled her blades free, but they felt strangely heavy in her hands. Hunger burned in her stomach, and her mind swirled. It was an effort to remain upright.

Rising, Jessamine pressed her back against the nearest tree, peering around it. As she did, an unnatural wind shuddered between the trees, carrying a keening cry that emerged from the ground itself. The inhuman sound hung in the air for what felt like an eternity.

Something had awakened.