The pale light of dawn broke through the trees in fractured slivers, spilling gold and blush across the field like spilled wine.

  Come back to me, Lioren.

  The voice sounded like Tomas, but the golden eyes and stretched, inhuman features were the stuff of a twisted dream. Saliva dripped from fangs in a partially elongated mouth. It leaned forward like a predator getting ready to pounce. Behind her, the grass cracked under slow, deliberate steps. She didn’t need to turn. She could feel it. Its gaze, hot and blistering, burning into her spine. Closer it moved, no longer chasing. It didn’t need to anymore.

  She was caught.

  Lioren fell to her knees with eyes closed in acceptance. She had run for what felt like days. Her legs burned; her chest crushed. The moon, the ever vigilant stalker shed one last beam across her face. The hooded flowers that offered her moments of respite, shriveled underneath the red haze.

  What is worse? The thing in front of her with the voice of lies? Or the truth in teeth and claws behind her. She had made it to dawn, and it wasn’t enough. Now she waited. The weight of both pressed down on her like stone. Their wills trying to break her down even more than her body already was.

  “Good game.” She whispered as claws met her face and teeth closed on her neck. The dream began to bleed red at the edges and a feeling rose in her chest and sent a shiver down her spine.

  The game wasn’t ending. It had just begun.

  -----------------------------------------------------------

  Lioren’s eyes fluttered open and she blinked in rapid succession, chasing away the blur of sleep. The sky was painted in vivid oranges and dark violets as the sun slipped beyond the horizon. Figures came into focus next to her. Two she remembered and one, she did not. Lioren bolted upright and a wave of nausea followed her up and she was unable to stop it. She scrambled to the edge of the wagon, nearly falling off, if two strong arms did not grab her waist and she heaved up a dark, viscous liquid.

  This went on until Lioren was convinced she would suffocate from lack of air. Eventually, when she was sure there was nothing left in her stomach, Lioren sat back against Tomas. He held her steady and rubbed her back through her ordeal. Now a stranger offered her a small bowl of water.

  “Rinse and spit,” the woman said gently, offering a kind smile.. Lioren hesitantly took the bowl with shaking hands and sipped a mouthful. She swished it around her mouth and Tomas assisted her with leaning forward to spit it out.

  “That’s better. Now drink. You need fluids.” She ordered and refilled Lioren’s bowl. Confused, Lioren looked from the stranger to Mira and then back at Tomas. Mira smiled back at her, tears stained her flushed cheeks and her eyes were red and puffy. Tomas kissed her head and whispered thanks into her matted hair.

  “What happened?” Her voice grated like sandpaper. She took a small sip of water. She was parched and her throat begged for more as she kept taking small sips. The stranger refilled her water again and motioned for her to keep drinking. Tomas’ arms tensed around Lioren, like he wanted to shield her from what they were about to say.

  “You were poisoned!” Mira blurted out, guilt taking over her face. “The herbs Rory gave us. It was wolfsbane and you had a bad reaction to it and I am so sorry, Lioren.” Her words tumbled out at a speed Lioren could barely comprehend. She closed her eyes to try and focus on Mira’s explanation, her hand waving to cut her off.

  “Slow down, Mira.” Lioren urged and Mira fell silent with fresh tears streaming down her face.

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  “Allow me.” The strange woman put a gentle hand on Mira’s and turned back to Lioren. “My name is Jessabelle. The concoction you drank two nights back was wolfsbane. Medicinally, it's used for energy and to fight off pain and infection. However, in rare cases, it can be deadly.” She paused, letting Lioren absorb the information. When Lioren nodded, she continued.

  “You were one of those rare cases. However, it looks like bloodletting and induced vomiting was successful.” Lioren looked down at her injured arm. The bite mark was raw and a thin red incision traced the length of her arm. A dark flash of pain, violet flowers and a bright red moon bombarded her mind and vision and Lioren recoiled. Just as soon as it came, it was gone along with the memory.

  “My arm was broken…” Lioren began, then trailed off as she opened and closed her fist with only small twinges of pain. Mira looked uncertain and shook her head slowly.

  “I thought so as well. My initial diagnosis must have been wrong. When I was able to evaluate you more back at town, your arm was mauled, but not broken. Neither were your ribs.” Mira confessed with disappointment masking her usually confident demeanor. Tomas’ arms gave Lioren a gentle squeeze.

  “I thought we were going to lose you, Lio.” He whispered and small drops fell into her hair. Lioren smiled softly and turned so she could see his tear-stricken eyes.

  “Sorry to disappoint you.” She turned her head into his chest and his body shook with a slight chuckle.

  “Quite the contrary. I will never cease to be amazed by you.” He kissed her head again and locked her behind his embrace.

  “Your friend is right. Not many can come back from the state you were in and even less survive wolfsbane poisoning.” Her eyes scanned Lioren from head to toe and one eyebrow raised in interest. “It is also quite impressive how lively you are despite losing most of your blood.” Jessabelle slid off the back of the wagon and motioned to her own companions. Her companions nodded silently and climbed aboard their own wagon, giving Lioren one last curious glance before turning away. “Should only be a couple hours to Whistle Hollow. Shall we?” She gestured to the road as her driver, a short, stocky man with a red beard flicked the reins.

  Mira patted Lioren’s arm with a weak smile and moved to the front of the wagon. She sat down, picked up the reins and with a deep breath, gave them a flick. With a lurch, they set off into the night. The wagon rocked gently beneath them, wheels humming against the worn road. The wind had cooled since the sweltering afternoon, brushing against her skin like a reminder that night was falling fast. Lioren settled in towards the front with Tomas intently watching her.

  "Scared I am going to relapse?" She scrunched her face at him as he settled beside her. He smiled and gave a half nod, his cheeks flushing slightly.

  "Kinda." He admitted with a playful bump to her shoulder. Although he smiled, his eyes were creased with worry. How close she had been to death? Pale and sunken as if death was clawing her away. The wagon jostled slightly, making their shoulders press together again before pulling apart. Dust kicked up behind the wheels, catching moonlight like pale ash.

  "I'm fine." Lioren placed a hand on his and gave it a squeeze. "Although," She paused, waiting for him to meet her gaze. "It might be worth it if I get to wake up to you caring for me again."

  Tomas blinked. For a beat, he said nothing—just stared at her like he wasn’t sure he’d heard her right. Then the corner of his mouth pulled into a soft, stunned smile, the kind that reached his eyes but trembled a little around the edges.

  “That’s... dangerously close to sweet, Lio.” He chuckled under his breath, but there was a tremor in it. His fingers curled around hers, just a little tighter. "You say something like that again, and I won't leave your side willingly." His nose grazed her ear and a shiver slithered up her spine. Lioren pursed her lips as a longing stirred in her belly.

  “That so? Might regret making a promise like that.” She didn’t look at him when she said it, just tilted her head slightly, like it was nothing. But her fingers were still resting against his, and she didn’t pull them away. His eyebrows lifted, and he tilted her chin so she would look at him.

  Tomas held her gaze for a beat longer.

  His eyes softened, and he didn’t speak right away. Just studied her face, the faint pull of doubt still lingering at the corners of her mouth. She hadn’t pulled her hand away. She hadn’t said no. He leaned in, slowly, carefully. Giving her every chance to stop him. When she didn’t, when her breath caught just enough to tell him she felt it too, he kissed her. Lioren’s breath hitched. She didn’t move, but she didn’t pull away, either.

  It wasn’t urgent or rushed. It was soft. Warm. The kind of kiss that said I’ve been waiting, and I’ll wait again if you need me to.

  When he finally pulled back, his forehead rested against hers for a heartbeat. His voice came low, but certain.

  "I won't regret it."