Page 26 of Magical Moonbeam
He went still.
Then, slowly, he smiled, and this time itdidreach his eyes.
But it was not a smile of warmth.
It was a smile that knew too much.
“That,” he said softly, “is exactly what I’m afraid of.”
The air shifted, and the fog surged upward like a living wall, swallowing the light entirely. My breath caught as the weight of it pressed against my skin, thick as oil, sharp as needles.
Gideon leaned in too close and whispered, “You’ll see me soon.”
I woke with a gasp, bolting upright in the dark.
Sweat clung to my skin. My blankets were tangled around my legs, and the fire had dwindled to embers. My dad stirred near the hearth, his ears twitching, but he didn’t wake.
The room was still.
Safe.
But my heart thudded against my ribs like it wanted to escape.
I threw the blankets off and swung my legs to the floor, pressing my bare feet to the cool stone. The shock grounded me just enough to breathe. Just enough tothink.
He’d been in my head.
Without an invitation. Without a tether. Without a sign.
Or was it a dream? How would I know the difference?
And worse, he knew things.
Knew me.
I wrapped my arms around myself and inhaled through my nose, slow and steady, until the chill stopped rattling down my spine.
“I’m okay.”
My dad stirred again, gave a little groggy snort, and rolled over.
I pressed my palm to my birthmark. It was warm. Steady.
Still mine.
Still me.
But I didn’t close my eyes again.
Because I wasn’t okay.
Not even close.
Chapter Seven
“You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” Twobble said from his perch on my dresser, legs swinging.
I stared at him, as my heart still rattled in my ribs, and my thoughts tangled in a fog I hadn’t left behind.
