Page 82 of A Simple Truth (the Freckled Fate #2)

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FINNLEAH

I rubbed my temples, sitting up in the warm bed. The stars outside were still shining through the poorly curtained window in the small loft, even as the sky flushed pink in anticipation of the coming dawn. I reached for the pen and paper next to my bed, jotting down a few words to remember from my vision for later.

Claws. Everything on fire. Black stone.

I itched the small, round, red burn mark on my palm, the only sign of my dream being a vision slowly vanishing before my eyes.

A vision. Another one.

In the morning, Fatima would interrogate me about it. But for now, I didn’t want to think much of the never-ending glimpses of everything, as I plummeted back to my pillow. Somehow, I’d been used to them being my dreams for so long that it felt a bit odd thinking of them as actual visions. Actual places, lives, people.

I yawned, still not sure what triggered them, or what they meant. Though perhaps, the everlasting fire in my dream was indeed triggered by the one with such powers.

Whatever sleep I had hastily left me, my heart racing faster at the memory of Gideon earlier yesterday, standing there, so grand and striking…

I loudly gasped, my hand going straight for my mouth, hoping that I didn’t wake Xentar downstairs with the sound. Beating wings cut through the room as Liriya’s figure appeared out of the shadows, landing on my blankets.

“What’s the matter, Liriya?” My voice laced with concern as I rapidly unwrapped the small message attached to her foot. My mouth turned dry as I anxiously opened the letter, my eyes scanning the neatly written lines.

I am writing this only because I’m surely convinced Liriya will claw my eyes out by the morning if I don’t. And believe me, I already tried tricking her and sent mail to everyone I could think of. But she just keeps coming back with her claws a little too close to my face for my liking. So, purely based out of concern for the safety and well-being of my eyes, I find myself with a letter addressed to you.

He left a bit of space after his explanation, writing only one word.

Hi.

My teeth scraped my bottom lip, as a thrilling and nervous feeling twisted my stomach.

A hidden smile crept up my lips as I reread the letter.

I shouldn’t be smiling. And yet I was, as I glanced over at the giant bird tilting her head at me, questioning, waiting. I swiftly grabbed the pen and scribbled a small ‘Hi’ next to his.

Liriya disappeared in a flash with an abrasive clap, and I winced at the loudness of the sound amidst the nightly silence, hoping that Xentar was a deep sleeper.

It was foolish of me to expect him to respond, and I knew I shouldn’t hope, but I didn’t lay back down. My heart fluttered in anticipation as I stared into the dark room, nervously scratching my arm, waiting for the bird to come back.

A minute later, she did.

Why are you staying up so late? he asked.

Can’t sleep, I replied.

Seems we share the same predicament.

It seems so.

I am sorry I called you a coward, Finnleah.

And I am sorry I was being one, I carefully wrote out .