~Vaela Adria’s aged hands are searing hot as they clasp either side of my face. My gaze focuses on her one milky eye, before my vision goes cloudy, and I'm staring into an ivory mist. I jolt back, but her sharp fingernails dig into my skin, holding me in place. "Calm girl. Accept the process." Her raspy voice sounds distant, puncturing the void I have been plunged into. Anxiety swells in my chest, my throat tightening, but I still, splaying my sweaty hands out over my thighs. "I see a lot of uncertainty in your future." Her faint voice drifts throu

~Vaela   I’ve forgotten what freedom feels like.   Now that I’m amidst it, I’m sitting like a fool, staring into a swarm of people. Some dance, others just drink and mingle. Not long ago I would be immersed  in the throngs, but now, I watch on warily, painfully aware of my own mortality.   Nudging Eyla, I point to a particularly adequate looking man. “I like the look of him.”   Truthfully, I’m suddenly hyper aware of how mundane normal Immortals look. Seeing Hale everyday has poisoned my sense of normality, and now I’m concerned I’m going to struggl

~VaelaHale’s bedroom door being slightly ajar is enough of an invitation for me to enter, seeking the Immortal out.He rests against his wooden headboard, flicking through a book.He doesn’t even glance up. "For someone who is so concerned about seeing me naked again, you have a proclivity for walking rather confidently into my private space.""You should have told me Larsen was coming,” I snap.Exhaling softly, he closes his book, dragging his attention to me. There is something painfully intimate about standing in his room. The large bed swallows have the space, making it impossible to be aware of anything else."How could I, when even I didn't know?" He kicks his legs out so he's sitting on the edge of the bed, resting the book on his bedside table.I fold my arms over my chest, fingers drumming against my ribs. "Who is he?""A Noble, from a far away land. I wouldn't worry yourself, he will not be here for very long," Hale muses dismissively. My eyes narrow."Can he kill me?" I as

~VaelaI lean against the doorway to Hale’s office."Eyla is asleep." I inform him. Mercifully, it took little coaxing, having wrung all her energy out from the stress. "She will be okay."Hale sweeps a hand back through his hair, dark waves raining back down over his forehead. He’s been in here, simmering in his own anger. I came to terms with what happened to me a long time ago, so seeing Hale experience my death with fresh emotion is confronting."And you?" He asks gently.He speaks to me like he’s willing and ready to envelop me in a meaningful embrace if I need it. I’m almost weak enough to consider it."I'm numb," I murmur pitifully.His gaze softens. "Your grief will come."I practically fall into the room, leaning against the wall. I can't be alone, not yet. My fear is that once the lights darken, and I'm left to my own thoughts, my carefully constructed wall of valour will tumble down."I don’t want it to," I whisper. Hale exhales, as if he's working through my pain with me.

~VaelaPacing back and forth, I watch Hale, blissfully entertained by his sketchbook under the dim candlelight.“I’m bored,” I complain.“There are plenty of things to do,” he responds distractedly.After dinner, we found ourselves in one of the far, generally avoided rooms. I’m not sure why we stay away. It’s calm in here, with the low lighting, plenty of books and generous seating.“Not really. Larsen has returned to whatever hellscape he comes from, Eyla is working and…” I draw off, swinging my arms around hopelessly.“You could read?”“All I ever do is read these days.” I stride in front of him, back and forth. He doesn’t glance up.Groaning, I fall back into the chair opposite him in the most dramatic fashion I can manage. Boredom leeches from every pore, yet nothing sounds appetising enough to sate it.Getting out of the cave would help, but I can already anticipate Hale's reaction if I brought it up.Finally, Hale sets down his sketchbook, holding my gaze with him. “We can talk