Page 73 of Seeking Shadows

Mia looked at me, her eyes wide, scared—as if she couldn’t believe I’d said that.

Nico tilted his head slowly, analyzing the scene. Then, a slow smile crept onto his lips.

"Interesting," he murmured.

I didn’t respond. I just held his gaze, letting him know that if he tried that again, next time, the shaking in that room would be from him.

CHAPTER 14

MIA

Zane decidedto stay the night, probably worried my father might come back and try something. I doubt it, though. My father’s the type to get bored quickly.

But still, he stayed.

It’s funny in a way. Not that he could actually do anything if my father decided to kill us both. But I find it cute, the way Zane tries to protect me. So I let him.

Plus, I like the feeling of not being alone for once.

It’s strange being in the same house as Zane and not in the same bed. I’ve been sleeping alone for a while now, and as lonely as it is, I’ve gotten used to it. But now that he’s here, breathing the same air as me, it feels wrong that we’re still in separate rooms.

My body knows it. It’s restless, tossing and turning.

The pillow’s never comfortable enough, the sheets always too warm. My skin misses his before my mind even catches up.

I sigh and throw the covers off, already knowing I won’t be able to sleep. My feet hit the cold floor as I walk to the door. The house is too quiet, too dark, too big.

I stop in front of his room, hesitating. I shouldn’t be here. But what if he’s having a nightmare? What if he’s tangled in the sheets, his face all twisted, that tense expression that haunts me?

I bite my lip, then slide the door open slowly, not wanting to make any noise. I just need to see him. That’s all. I’ll be back in a minute.

The door’s cracked open, a sliver of blue light escaping. His phone’s on, a faint glow illuminating the furniture around his bed. My heart races for reasons I can’t explain.

Maybe it’s the silence of the house. Maybe it’s the fact that we haven’t slept in the same place for almost a month. Now that he’s here, it feels wrong that we’re in different rooms.

But maybe he’s having a nightmare. I need to see.

Or maybe I just want to be close to him.

I slip inside, barely breathing.

He’s lying on his side, the sheets twisted around his waist, his bare skin glistening with a thin layer of sweat.

His brow’s furrowed, his breathing shallow and quick. His arm shakes slightly, like he’s trying to push something away in his dream.

My chest tightens. God, why did I think that?

His body jerks, and he mumbles something I can’t make out.

He’s definitely having a nightmare.

Sweat beads on his face, his expression pained, as if he’s trapped in something dark.

“Zane?” My voice is soft, hesitant, and I kneel next to the bed, close enough to feel his warmth.

He stirs, as if waking up, but only rolls onto his back, mumbling something incoherent. I reach out, my hand brushing his arm. His muscles tense under my touch.

“Zane, it’s me.”

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