KRUE
I haven't slept.
The sky outside the window is starting to lighten—gray bleeding into pale blue. Dawn. I've been sitting in this chair all night, watching Daphne breathe.
She finally fell asleep an hour ago. Exhausted. Her body gave out before her mind did.
I can still see the tremors running through her when I close my eyes. The way she flinched away from my touch. The raw terror in her voice.
Please don't touch me.
My hands curl into fists.
Someone did this to her.
Someone at that banquet put their hands on her and brought back whatever nightmare she had lived through before.
And she won't tell me who.
Because it will start a war.
I stand slowly, careful not to make noise.
She shifts slightly in bed but doesn't wake.
I need answers.
I cross to the door and slip out int
