Page 7

BEAU

I thrash, trying to get away from the fire in my mind. It’s everywhere. Everywhere. Wood burns all around me. I can’t get away. My body can’t decide which form it wants and cycles between human and bat. Human and bat. Human and bat. Neither feels right, but at least I can fly as a bat. I screech and chirp, but the visions aren’t of the forest, but a bedroom.

“Beau! Beau!”

“ Muurrpph! ”

I can’t wake from the nightmare ravaging my mind.

“Beau!” It’s Poe’s voice, loud and sharp.

Before I can clear my head, I smack into something hard and tumble back. Back. Back. Into that burning forest of my nightmares.

Poe

Upon arriving home and looking in on Beau, he was in the middle of a panic attack. He shifted between human and bat until he knocked himself out, running into the bedpost. He hit so hard I thought he might have done major damage.

His shift to human happens as soon as he lands on the bed.

His breathing comes rapidly, and he's drenched in sweat.

"Beau?" I press a hand to his forehead.

His eyes flutter open, but he doesn't move. He blinks and tears slide down his face.

"Do you have nightmares every night?"

He nods and looks away from me. "Every time I shut my eyes some days." I have to strain to hear him. He's so quiet.

My heart aches for this man. "That's a long time to suffer."

"I deserve it."

"No, you don't. You've lived with this burden so long. Let me help you release it." I could ask one of the covens for a solution, but I'm not sure he wants to completely erase the memory.

"I don't even remember what they looked like. The dreams might not even have their real faces anymore. But at least they're something." He pushes to sit, and like Sparkle said, Beau isn't ashamed he's naked in front of me. Why would he be? He's a shifter.

"Why don't you go take a shower?"

He shakes his head. "Can't. Too much like rain." He trembles and pulls his knees to his chest. "Can't get wet, then I can't fly."

"You're safe here, Beau."

He just nods. “I know.”

"Would it help if I were with you?"

"What do you mean with me?" He side-eyes me, and I have to wonder if he's as na?ve as Sparkle thinks he is.

I hold up a finger and teleport to my closet. I undress and throw my clothes in the hamper, then grab a pair of swim shorts.

I teleport back to the guest room and Beau scooted to the edge of the bed.

"It's a huge shower. I can stand in the corner. If you feel like the water's too much, I can step in and hold you."

"Okay." But he doesn't move from the edge of the bed.

"You don't have to do anything, though." The stench of fear still lingers in the air. "The sheets are soaked in sweat, though, and I'd like to change those for you before you try to sleep again."

He pushes to his feet. "I'll wash up. You don't have to come with me."

"If you're sure?"

"Yeah, I need to..." He scrunches his eyes closed. "I'm okay." His stomach grumbles and he clutches it as his entire body flushes pink. "I might be a little hungry."

"Okay, how about you wash up and I'll make us something to eat?" I lift the bag I brought with me. "You'll find some clothes here. Sparkle packed what he thought you'd like."

"Thank you." He unzips the bag and gasps. "Berry!" He pulls the stuffed bat from the bag and squeezes it close. "I usually can't sleep without him. I found him in a trashcan one day and had to save him."

I must have made a face because he giggles, and the sound fills me with joy. The sweetest smile lifts his lips and there's a spark in his eyes now.

"He wasn't dirty, well, not much. I had to save him, though. Had to." He hugs the stuffie closer.

"Well, I'm glad we packed him then. Hop in the shower and by the time you're done, I'll have something good to eat ready."

He lays the bat stuffie on the bed and pats his head before grabbing the bag and padding butt ass naked to the bathroom. But he stiffens when I gasp.

"Who the fuck hurt you?"