Page 56 of Third Offense

“There is no such thing as a reprieve in our life,” he continued with an edge of irritation to his words. “If I’ve taught you anything, it’s that.”

“That’s true,” I admitted with a sigh. Which was precisely why I’d enjoy this moment. It didn’t even matter if it was real or not.

I fucking deserved it.

“Nothing is what it seems.”

“Yeah, yeah,” I agreed, growing sleepy again. This specter needed to leave me alone. Even my subconscious refused to give me a break.

“Raven. You’re better than this.Fight.”

Why wouldn’t he just let this go? “There’s nothing to fight.”

“Because you’re not opening your damn eyes.”

That was true, but I had no reason to. “I’m surrounded by Noir. It’s fine.”

“It’s a mirage.”

That made me laugh. “One you created?” I surmised. He loved his mirages. At least this one was fucking nice for once—although I didn’t believe it for a second. None of his mirages had ever been like this. He just wanted to get under my skin.

“It’s my tech, but it’s not me.”

“I already checked my mind. There is no tech.”

“Because you’re not going deep enough. Remember the maze, all the tests. Treat this as another one.”

I thought about it, then shook my head. “No. This is just a nightmare to keep me from enjoying my new reality.”

“It’s not a new reality, Raven. It’s a new game.Wake. Up.”

Wake. Up.

Wake. Up.

My eyes finally fluttered open only to see Auric stalking off, and now it was his voice reverberating through my mind.

Had he said those words out loud? Yes, he had, coinciding with my strange dream.

I blinked a few times, oddly unnerved by how real my nightmares felt.

It was as if I was actually talking to my father.

A swim will cool you off,I thought as the vibrant blues called to me.

Shaking my head, I stood up, stretched, and decided to go for a swim. That was a lot more pleasant than dealing with all these lingering nightmares that didn’t want to leave me alone.

Sinking my toes into the rocky sand as I made my way to the lapping shore, I spotted a strange shimmer of white feathers that disappeared into the blue.

For a crazy moment, I swore they were tipped with black.

I’m losing my mind, I marveled, stepping forward into the waves and jumping back at the icy texture.Definitely losing my mind…

CHAPTERFIFTEEN

AURIC

Everyone has losttheir fucking minds, I decided, fed up with all this bullshit. I needed to find Layla and Novak, and force them to break out of this cycle.