Page 90 of Fated for Dawn

Zade kept pushing, forcing me to cycle through each ability. By the end, I was panting and drenched in sweat.

Zade nodded, looking almost impressed. “Better. You might actually survive tomorrow.”

I rolled my eyes. “Gee, thanks.”

Rafe squeezed my shoulder as I leaned against him, suddenly feeling the full weight of exhaustion. “You did great, Evelyn.”

I managed a tired smile. “I hope it’s enough.”

“It will be,” Rafe whispered. “We’ll get Lia back.”

As we returned to the mansion, Zade vanished without a word, slipping into the shadows like he always did.

When we reached the hallway leading to our bedrooms, I hesitated. “Rafe…would it be okay if I stayed with you again tonight?”

“Of course,” he said, taking my hand. “You know I love having you close.”

After a quick shower, I padded to Rafe’s room in soft pajamas. He was already in bed, his golden hair tousled, looking beautiful. My heart did a little flip.

“Hey,” I whispered, climbing in beside him.

“Hey yourself,” he murmured, pulling me close.

I nestled against him, inhaling his sweet, comforting scent, hoping I’d actually get some rest. But instead of sleep, Eris filled my dreams with nightmares.

We were in the midst of the battle, the Luminary Mansion in ruins. Smoke and ash filled the air as Eris stood atop a pile of rubble, a sinister smile playing on her lips. Her army of demons, vampires, shifters, and all sorts of evil creatures swarmed around us, an unstoppable tide of darkness. I saw Chad in hishellhound form, fighting valiantly, only to be struck down by a demon. Alister was overwhelmed and drained by a horde of vampires. Ryker lay crushed beneath the weight of his old shifter gang, his dragon form broken and lifeless.

Rafe stood beside me, his angelic light flickering as he tried to hold back the onslaught.

“Evelyn, we can’t hold them!” he shouted, his voice filled with despair.

I tried to summon my phoenix fire to call down lightning, but nothing came. I was powerless, a spectator to the carnage.

Eris’s voice rang out, mocking and cold. “This is the future you chose, Evelyn. All of this could have been avoided if you’d just joined us.” She raised her hand, and a bolt of dark energy shot toward us. I watched in horror as it struck Rafe, his body crumpling to the ground, his eyes dull and lifeless.

I screamed, the sound tearing from my throat as I ran to him. “Rafe! No!” I sobbed, clutching his still form.

The ground beneath us split open, and I was dragged down into a chasm of fiery chaos, Eris’s cruel laughter echoing around me.

I gasped awake, my heart pounding. Eris’s face lingered, her cruel laughter echoing in my mind. She knew we were coming—of course, she did.

A warm hand squeezed my shoulder. “Evelyn? You okay?”

Rafe sat up in bed, turning on the bedside lamp. I turned to face him, drinking the sight of his tousled blond hair and concerned eyes.

He’s okay. It was all a dream.

I nodded, unable to speak. Rafe gently pulled me against his chest. His fingers worked the knots in my shoulders, easing the tension.

“It’s okay,” he murmured. “You’re safe.”

I leaned into him, letting out a shaky breath. “She knows, Rafe. Eris knows we’re coming tomorrow.”

“We expected that. It doesn’t change anything. We’re ready.”

I wasn’t so sure, but Rafe’s quiet confidence steadied me. His fingers worked magic on my tense muscles.

“I’ve got you,” he murmured.

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