Page 32 of Crown of Envy

“You’re safe,” a soft voice beside my bed whispered.

A slight movement caught my attention, and I felt the bed dip as someone sat down. A pair of glowing red eyes materialized in the semi-darkness, sending a shiver down my spine that wasn’t entirely from fear.

That was when I realized a cool rag was across my forehead, the damp cloth a stark contrast to the heat radiating from my skin. The pungent scent of incense tickled my nostrils, making me wrinkle my nose slightly. I blinked repeatedly, my vision blurry and unfocused, as if looking through a foggy window.

“Sawyer?” Justice rasped, worry etched in every syllable. His voice wrapped around me like a warm blanket, comforting yet somehow suffocating at the same time.

I closed my eyes. “Justice.”

He gently took my hand in his, and I was struck by how cold my skin felt compared to his. Justice brought my hand to his lips, placing a soft kiss on my knuckles. The tender gesture made my heart flutter, a stark reminder of how alive I was despite feeling utterly drained.

I rubbed my forehead with my free hand, wincing at the dull ache that pulsed behind my eyes. “What happened?” I croaked, my throat dry and scratchy as if I’d swallowed sand.

Justice’s thumb traced soothing circles on the back of my hand as he spoke. “Lisa says the Heartstone amulet drained your energy. You tried to use it three times, according to her. One, retrieving it. Two, healing me. Three, trying to revive Zara’s sister.”

As he recounted the events, flashes of memory surged through my mind. The cave, the creature, the desperate attempts to use the amulet’s power. Each recollection sent a jolt through my body, making me tense.

Hope swelled inside me, a bubble of warmth expanding in my chest. “You’re completely healed,” I murmured, searching his face for confirmation.

Justice sighed, the sound weighing down the air between us. His red eyes dimmed slightly, and my hope flickered.

“You didn’t think it would be that easy, did you?”

His words settled in my stomach like a cold, heavy stone. I swallowed hard, trying to push down the disappointment and fear that threatened to overwhelm me. The room suddenly felt too small, too crowded with unspoken worries and half-fulfilled hopes.

Soft snores filled the room, a familiar rhythm I instantly recognized. As my eyes adjusted to the dim light, I saw my brother slumped in a chair beside my bed, his body at an awkward angle that would surely result in a stiff neck. A pang of affection mixed with guilt washed over me at the sight of his worried frown, even in sleep.

At the foot of my bed, Lisa was curled up in another chair, her usual composed demeanor replaced by a vulnerability that tugged at my heart.

“Well, look who’s awake,” Damon announced, his tone tinged with relief and residual worry. He stretched his arms wide, his joints popping audibly. He flipped on the lamp beside my bed, and the dark circles under his eyes betrayed his exhaustion. “You gave me quite a scare, Sawyer.”

I felt a pang of guilt at the concern etched on his face.

Lisa stirred at the end of the bed. She sat taller in her chair, her spine straightening as if shaking off sleep. Her eyes, usually sharp and alert, were clouded with fatigue. “Sawyer? How are you feeling?”

I shrugged, immediately regretting the movement as my muscles protested. “Tired,” I admitted, my voice still rough. A scowl creased my brow as a thought occurred to me, sending a jolt of anxiety through my body. “Where’s the Heartstone amulet?”

Damon’s expression hardened slightly, his jaw clenching. “Brody’s got it,” he replied, his tone clipped. “He didn’t trust Zara not to try to steal it so she could revive her sister.”

At the mention of Zara’s sister, guilt gripped me like a vise, making it hard to breathe. My chest tightened as I remembered my failed attempt. “I tried to save her,” I whispered.

Lisa rose from the chair, her movements careful and deliberate. She came around and sat beside Justice. Her presence seemed to fill the room with a calm energy, though her eyes betrayed her weariness.

“The Heartstone is powerful,” Lisa began. “But that dark magic was the strongest I’ve ever felt.” A shudder ran through her body, visible even in the dim light. “I think it will take the actual Crown of Envy to heal those poor souls.”

She bowed her head, her shoulders slumping as if under an invisible weight. “I tried to tell Zara, but she wouldn’t listen,” she murmured, regret coloring her words.

I licked my dry lips, wincing at their cracked texture. My tongue felt like sandpaper in my mouth. “How long have I been unconscious?” The words came out hoarse.

Justice dragged his fingers through his hair. His red eyes seemed dimmed with worry. “Two days,” he replied heavily. “You were moaning in your sleep, and we couldn’t wake you.”

A chill ran down my spine. Two days? It felt like I’d only closed my eyes moments ago. My stomach churned with hunger and nausea.

I bit my lip, the sharp pain grounding me as memories of my dream flooded back. My heart rate picked up, pounding in my ears. “I had a dream about Maci.” The words tumbled out, laced with fear.

Justice, Damon, and Lisa exchanged uneasy glances, their faces tightening with concern. The tension in the room seemed to thicken.

Justice’s thumb rubbed soothing circles over my shaking hand. I hadn’t even realized I was trembling until I felt the warmth of his touch. “Tell us about the dream,” he urged gently.

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