Cassian
I wake up drenched in cold sweat, the memories of my nightmare drilling into my mind. It had been years since I last dreamed of the origin of my blackened heart, but I suppose recent events have forced my mind to summon memories from the past. Beneath my skin, I can still feel the roar of my blood at the contact of that human’s mouth on mine.
I get out of bed, slip on a shirt I don’t bother to button, and pull on a pair of pants. I don’t need to ask myself where my feet are taking me as soon as one steps outside my room. I walk with purpose to the castle’s main library—nothing like that small, dusty one on the lower floors that the fire Phoenix has claimed as its home. I push open the heavy doors, still damp with sweat down my back.
I take a step forward, savoring the rare sens
