Page 77 of The Madness Within

Everything glowed faintly violet. The stars were too close. The air, too still. And then I felt him. Before I saw him.

“Kreed,” I said aloud, even though I didn’t know how I knew.

He stepped out of the mist like he belonged in this world. Pale hands in his pockets, eyes gleaming silver like a reflection of mine. He didn’t look dangerous here.

He looked like knowledge dressed in temptation. “You’re dreaming,” he said casually. “But I didn’t come to scare or try to kill you.”

“Then what do you want?”

“To help you.”

I laughed bitterly. “That’s rich coming from the guy who killed my mother and tried to kill me, too.”

“I didn’t break in. You called me here,” he said, tilting his head. “Not with your mouth. With your power.”

I folded my arms. “If this is about trying to turn me against Dorian, don’t bother.”

His smile was slow, patient. “I don’t want you toleavehim, Ember. I want you to learn what he can’t teach you.”

“I don’t need you to learn how to use my powers.”

“You’re not just using powers. You’reawakening an inheritance.And Dorian, for all his strength and brooding charm, was never a Watcher. He doesn’t know what it means to carry that bloodline. To be the bridge between realms.”

I faltered, just slightly.

He stepped closer, eyes sharp but not unkind. “There are things he doesn’t want you to know. Things he’safraidyou’ll remember. Your mother knew it. That’s why she tried to hide you.”

My throat tightened.

“You’re not normal, Ember. And you’re not meant to be caged by comfort. You’re meant to protect the Veil, and what’s waiting to tear through it.”

He reached for me, but stopped before touching. “When you’re ready to see the truth… find me. In dream, or in flesh.”

Then the dream began to collapse around us.

“Wait!” I started.

But he’s already fading.

His last words echoed through the air like a whisper written in lightning: “Dorian can love you. But only I can unlock you.”

I bolted upright in bed, breath caught in my throat.

Dorian stirred beside me, murmuring my name, fingers sliding along my arm.

“You’re okay.” he whispered. “It was just a dream.”

And I wasn’t sure, but still, I nodded.

But it wasn’t.

Not just.

And for the first time… I wasn’t sure I was ready to tell him.

Chapter Thirty-One

?Awakened

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