Page 155 of Skalterra By Nightmare
“I don’t think I have to worry about nightmares anymore.”
Liam gave me a wry smile as he pressed a square of gauze over my hand.
“And why’s that?”
“Just a feeling.” I watched him fasten the gauze in place with a bandage that he wrapped carefully around the back of my hand. His fingers were warm against mine. “Why did you skip Riley’s memorial?”
“Because he isn’t dead.”
I nodded. I figured he’d say as much.
“Do you think your aunt and uncle wanted you there?”
He kept his eyes on my bandages as he folded his fingers over them, holding my hand in his.
“Probably.” His thumb brushed against mine. “They’ll come around, though, once he comes back.”
“Right.” My friends were in the same limbo Riley existed in. I didn’t know if they were alive, or for how long they’d remain that way, and I had no way to check.
Galahad was dead. Of that much I was certain. I’d felt his life snuff out as clearly as if it had been my own. I wasn’t sure I would still be alive myself if not for Ciarán’s connection, however weak it had been.
“You scared me today,” Liam said, still looking at my hand in his. “But I guess I’m getting used to that.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be.” He raised his eyes to mine and gave an apologetic smile in the low light. “It’s selfish, but it was a nice distraction, watching over you.”
A door creaked somewhere outside, and heavy steps echoed on a wooden staircase.
“Liam?” Gams’s sharp bark preceded her footsteps hurrying down the hall. “Wren? Where is she?”
The bedroom door burst open, and there was Gams in a glaze-stained Keel Watch Harbor t-shirt.
“Gams?” I didn’t want her to worry, but every emotional wound I’d been trying to run triage on since waking up reopened, and tears sprung to my eyes.
Gams shoved Liam out of her way to throw her arms around me, only to immediately let go so she could cup my face in her hands.
“Liam said you’re sick. Is that why you felt so cold this morning? I knew it. Do you have enough blankets?”
She bunched Liam’s comforter in my lap, and then tried to feel my forehead, but I took her hand in mine to lower it.
“I’m okay now.” I managed to hold the tears back. Hopefully Gams couldn’t see them swimming in my eyes. She’d left her glasses at home.
“What’s wrong?” she whispered. “Is that video online again? Did someone write a mean comment about your mother? Whatever it is, I promise I’ve said worse to her. She’ll be okay.”
I choked on a watery laugh. If Ferrin made it through the Rift, I didn’t know what his plans were. He’d have all the Skal he’d ever need. He would be able to use magick freely. Maybe that would be enough to satisfy him, and he’d choose to live a quiet life.
But I couldn’t trust Ferrin, and whatever hole he tore in the fabric between Skalterra and Keldori would be open for anyone and anything to come through.
I’d been halfway to becoming a rotsbane. I had felt their hunger. I’d almost been destroyed by it. I knew they would stop at nothing to devour as much Skal as they could. They would wreak chaos and destruction and death, even if Ferrin decided to keep his head down in Keldori after murdering Fana and Orla.
“Wren?” Gams squinted to see me better in the light of the bedside lamp, and the dam broke. Hot tears cascaded down my cheeks, and I sobbed ugly, desperate sobs.
Galahad was dead. My friends would soon follow. And if Ciarán tried to stop Ferrin, as he was sure to, he’d probably die as well.
Gams pulled me in, and I cried into her messy hair.
“What is it?” she murmured.
