MAYA
I woke to the same ceiling, the same cedar scent, and the same invisible chains that held me in place. My body felt like it had been wrung out and left to dry. I had no idea if it was night, morning, or the next day. Time had become a suggestion.
“How long was I out?” I croaked to the empty room, pushing myself up on trembling arms. My voice sounded small even to me.
The door opened before I could finish my thoughts.
Xander stepped in wearing ceremonial robes, deep midnight fabric threaded with living red runes that crawled like veins when the light hit them. It was beautiful, but the sight of him in it was terrifying.
“You won’t leave,” he said quietly, answering the thought I hadn’t spoken aloud. “Not until you understand who you really are, and why we were always meant to be t
