Leila's Pov

Amelia disappeared and Carlson turned to Hera. Without the lights this time.

I gently lowered her to the ground.

“That was good. Not perfect but better than I expected. Well done.”

I blushed at her praise, smiling sheepishly.

“Now, about these.”

Hera stroked the vine, “Do you feel this?”

“No, not really. But I know exactly where you're touching them. It's like part of my subconscious mind.”

“Interesting…I wonder…”

A muffled form of pain filled the ...