ADRIK
A soft whimpering pulled me from sleep.
At first, I thought I was imagining it. It sounded like the kind of noise that sneaks into dreams and vanishes. But then I felt a movement beside me. Serafina jerked slightly, her breath catching.
My eyes snapped open.
“Sera?” I rasped, still half-asleep as I reached for her. She thrashed softly beneath the sheets, her forehead creased, lips parted in a silent cry. Her fists were clenched, her legs tangled in the blanket.
“No…” she whispered, barely audible. “Mama, please…”
Fuck.
A nightmare.
I cupped her cheek gently as I tried to rouse her. “Serafina,” I whispered, brushing damp strands of hair from her face. “Zolotse, wake up.”
She gasped awake, bolting upright like she was drowning. Her chest heaved, wild eyes blinking in th
