Chapter 32 – A never-ending nightmare

The darkness surrounded me, thick and suffocating. I couldn’t see anything, but I could feel something lurking just beyond my vision. Cold air nipped at my skin, and the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end. My breathing was shallow, panicked.

I knew this place.

I was back in the forest—the one from my nightmares. The trees loomed high, their twisted branches clawing at the sky, and beneath my feet, the ground felt unstable, like it might give way at any moment. The moon above, full and bright, cast an eerie glow over the landscape, and I could hear something moving in the shadows.

“Luca?” I called out instinctively, my voice trembling. But no one answered.

Suddenly, a low growl echoed from behind me.

 My heart leapt into my throat. I turned, my pulse racing, but all I could see were those glowing eyes staring at me from the darkness—the same eyes I’d seen haunting my nightmares, the same eyes that belonged to the Echo.

It was coming for me.

I felt a sudden rush of panic. Running as fast as my legs could carry me, I felt like the ground was quicksand beneath me. Each subsequent step felt more difficult, as if I was being dragged downward into the ground. The increasing growling sound came closer and louder, making me feel like the Echo's breath was right behind me.

No, no, no...

Suddenly, I tripped, crashing to the ground. The cold dirt scraped against my skin, and I could feel the presence looming over me now, the weight of it suffocating. I attempted to shout, but no noise emerged. The glowing eyes of the Echo were mere inches away from mine, its tall shadowy figure looming over me like a frightening dream come to life.

This is it. This is how it ends.

Suddenly, I experienced a burst of heat that didn't belong to me, seemingly coming from nowhere. It was powerful, protective. It wrapped around me like a shield, keeping the Echo at bay.

Luca.

Even in the dream, I knew it was him. I could feel him, his strength, his anger, his fear for me. But he wasn’t here—he couldn’t be. This was just a dream, wasn’t it?

“Luca, please!” I cried out, desperately reaching for him. The Echo snarled, and its claws dug into the earth beside me. I braced for the end.

And then, just like that, everything vanished.

I sat upright in bed, struggling to catch my breath. I felt my heart racing in my chest as I attempted to rid myself of the lasting fear from my horrible dream. Although my room was dimly lit, it didn't provide a sense of security. That nightmare… it felt too real, too vivid.

I felt my hands shaking as I ran them through my hair, attempting to relax. I couldn't rid myself of the feeling of being watched by the eyes of the Echo, or the feeling of Luca's presence guiding me away from the darkness.

Then I heard it. A soft creak echoed from across the room.

I froze.

There, standing in the doorway, his chest rising and falling like he had been running, was Luca.

His eyes locked on mine, wild and full of worry. “Quinn…” His voice was hoarse, raw, like he’d woken up from the same nightmare.

“You were there,” I whispered, my heart still hammering in my chest. “In the dream… I felt you.”

“I felt your fear, Quinn. I couldn’t stay away.” Luca said as he took a step forward, his gaze not leaving mine. His whole demeanor was different....calmer, more vulnerable.

My breath caught in my throat. “What?” The words barely came out as I tried to process what he was saying. “How—how did you—”

He crossed the room in seconds, and before I could even think, Luca was in front of me, his strong arms wrapping around me and pulling me against his chest. I didn’t even have time to react; he just held me tightly, like he was afraid to let go.

I froze at first, not sure what to do, but the warmth of his body, the strength of his embrace—it was impossible to ignore. The tension, the fear, everything that had built up inside of me melted away as I leaned into him.

Luca's hold was strong yet tender, and I could sense his heart beating in sync with mine. His chin was positioned on my head, and I sensed his breath against my hair. "He assured her, speaking in a gentle and calming tone. "I've got you."

This wasn't the Luca that I was familiar with. Not the hostile, somber, remote individual who bullied me. This was different. Something that was new to me.

Gradually, he withdrew slightly to cradle my face in his hands, his touch delicate but thrilling. His fingers lightly touched my skin, causing me to shiver. I glanced up at him, my breath getting stuck in my throat when I locked eyes with him, the intensity and fire still present but now accompanied by a new emotion. Feeling empathy and understanding for others. Worry.

Something deeper.

For a moment, neither of us spoke. It was like the world had shrunk down to just the two of us, standing there in the darkness. His gaze softened, and I saw it—something I never thought I’d see in him.

Love.

He didn’t say it, but it was there, unspoken in the way he looked at me, in the way his thumb gently brushed over my cheek, in the way his breathing matched mine.

“Luca…” I whispered, my voice barely audible. I didn’t know what else to say.

His hands stayed on my face, holding me there, and the space between us felt like it was disappearing. My heart was pounding so loudly I was sure he could hear it. The intensity of the moment, the way he was looking at me—it was overwhelming. Every part of me was buzzing with the nearness of him, with the closeness that was unlike anything we’d shared before.

But he didn’t kiss me.

Instead, Luca’s forehead gently rested against mine, his breath mingling with mine, his eyes never leaving me. The intensity of the moment hung in the air, crackling between us like electricity, but it wasn’t about lust or anger. It was about something far rawer—something deeper, something real.

“I’m not who you think I am,” he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. “And I wish I could be better for you.”

I didn’t know how to respond. My mind was spinning, my heart racing. I wanted to say something, but the words wouldn’t come.

He pulled back just a little, his eyes searching mine for something, something he wasn’t sure he’d find. The weight of the silence that fell between us was palpable, but it wasn't awkward. It felt as if we were both anticipating something, although I wasn't sure what.

Before I had the chance to speak, before I could comprehend what was happening, Luca's expression changed slightly, as though he could feel something - something beyond the room.

He stepped back, his eyes scanning the room, his muscles tensing.

“Luca,” I asked, my voice shaky, “what’s wrong?”

His jaw clenched, and when he turned back to me, his face had hardened. “We’re not alone. Someone’s coming.”