Aurora’s P.O.V

A heavy weight sat on my chest, my breath caught in my throat as if some invisible force pressed down on me. My dreams had been restless, a swirling mess of distorted faces and whispered voices, none of which I could hold on to. The moment my eyes fluttered open, I wished I had stayed asleep.

Harmona was looming over me, her face unnervingly close, a smile curling at her lips that sent an instant jolt of unease through me. It wasn’t a warm, welcoming smile—it ...