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“This is unexpected, my pet.”

Scarlett went rigid at the sound of his voice.

Her eyes snapped open, and she found herself in a study. It was early morning judging by the faint light coming through the two windows on one wall. She slowly turned to face him, finding Mikale Lairwood rising from a seat behind a large oak desk. His dark eyes raked over her, mouth twisting into a smirk.

She took a step back, bumping into the door. Her hand fumbled for the door handle, but when she yanked on it, it didn’t move. Locked. She was locked in a room with Mikale, unable to access her magic.

A dark laugh came from him as he moved towards her. “You have been most difficult to find these last weeks, my pet. Yet here you are. You came to me.”

“I did no such thing,” she spat, lifting her chin.

He laughed again. “But you did, Scarlett.” He lifted a hand, a ring with a green stone shimmering on it. A finger traced along her jaw.

“I wouldn’t know how.”

“Yet here you are.” His finger dragged along her throat. “This is new.”

“It will heal.”

He flashed her another mocking smile. “I wouldn’t be so sure.” Then his hand was around her throat, holding her in place while he pressed against her to speak softly into her ear, “Where are you, Scarlett?”

She shook her head, clawing at his hand that only squeezed tighter. “You only make those you love suffer by drawing this out. Juliette. Nuri. Ashtine. Briar.” He paused, appearing to think dramatically. “What is that other one’s name? From the Fire Court?”

“What is he doing to him?” Scarlett gasped, trying to pry his hand from her throat.

“Absolutely nothing,” Mikale said. “The Sorceress on the other hand…”

“No,” she rasped. She tried to bring her knee up, but he had a leg wedged between her thighs, pinning her to the door.

“Yes,” he whispered into her ear. “How many more, Scarlett?”

Then he was flying across the room, a strangled cry of surprise coming from him. He landed on a chair, knocking it over as he fell to the rug. Scarlett sucked in air, her hand coming to her throat, and she found her brother standing before her.

“Who are you?” Mikale snarled, climbing to his feet.

But Cethin turned his back on him. He took her by the shoulders as he said, “He is not in control here, Scarlett. This is your dream. Not his.”

She shook her head, wincing. Between the cut from the gold sword and Mikale’s tight grip, her throat was sore. “He controls them when he dream walks to me.”

“You give him that control.”

“I don’t,” she retorted.

“You do,” Cethin insisted. “He is strong, but you are stronger, Scarlett. He stole his gifts. You are the daughter of a goddess. You let him have this power over you.”

“No.” She shook her head, tears beginning to well in her eyes.

“She has no control here,” Mikale sneered.

“You can do something,” Scarlett whispered. “You’re here.”

“This is not my dream, Scarlett,” Cethin said. “I can only do so much. Just as you give him control, you limit mine.”

“I’m not doing anything,” she insisted

“Exactly,” he answered, shaking her shoulders. “Do something.”

She slowly lifted her hand, tried to bring her shadows forth, but there was nothing. No darkness or ember of starfire.