21
ARIELLA
Everywhere I turned it was dark and cold, devoid of any life except the heart that beat in my own chest. The stench of death was all I could smell, and judging by the black, oily looking trees I knew where I was … the Black Forest. Chills crept up my spine because I knew I wasn’t alone.
Alasdair’s laugh echoed all around me, except I couldn’t see him. He drifted around me in his shadow self, slithering across my skin, touching me. He couldn’t physically harm me for real, but even in the dream realm a person could still feel pain or pleasure. I wasn’t looking forward to this visit.
“You can’t hide from me here, sweet princess,” he taunted. “I must say, I am very disappointed in you.”
“I don’t care what you think of me,” I snarled. “You’re just upset that you couldn’t find me
