Page 116 of Marks of Rebellion

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"Flower, wake up."

Hunter.I hear his words, but I can't see him.

"Flower, you're dreaming. Wake up." His fingers sweep through my hair, and his arms tighten around me, but I can't open my eyes or breathe.

I do. I do. I do.The words in my voice get louder and faster until they are so close together they merge.

I put my hands over my ears and scream. "No!"

"Flower, wake up," Hunter growls so fiercely, my eyes fly open. "Breathe."

Tears soak my skin. I'm full of sweat. "So real," I whisper.

He pulls me into him. "No, it's not. You're safe. I've got you."

"He's going to get me." I sob.

"No, he won't."

Time passes, and when I finally am breathing normally, I tilt my head up. "My dream is getting more intense. He's getting closer to me."

Hunter tucks my hair behind my ear. "No. It's just a night terror."

"But—"

He silences me with a kiss. I cling to him and deepen our kisses, trying to forget how real the dream feels and quiet the voice in my head telling me no one can save me from my fate.

But my ability to forget about everything except Hunter is nonexistent. The warnings that Carlos is closer sit on the surface of my thoughts.

I pull back. "We need to leave."

"We will. As soon as my face heals so we don't draw attention at the airport."

"No. Today. Your face is better than yesterday. We need to go now."

"Flower—"

"He's coming for me. I can feel it. Please. We need to leave," I reiterate.

Hunter takes a deep breath. "I don't want to risk your safety."

"It's a risk if we stay."

"No one knows we are here."

"Please. Listen to me. My dreams mean something. The intuition I have...it may sound crazy to you, but it's real. I felt it before Carlos first hurt me, and I didn't listen to it. Anytime in my life I didn't pay attention to it, I've had bad things happen. Please."

He cups my cheeks. "Okay. If you feel this strongly about it—"

"I do."

"We'll leave today."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"Thank you." New tears fall.

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