Chloe Jane My eyelids flutter open, and a mild ache throbs behind them. Sunlight streams through the window, casting a warm glow across the room. How long have I slept? It feels like ages since I— Wait… I sit up and blink again, frowning at what I’m seeing because… I’m blind! I should not be seeing the morning light filtering through the bedroom window! Immediately, I leap out of the bed and look around the room, but then the door slams open and Ruin stands there with wide eyes. He looks at me, his worried expression softening as he smiles at me and it takes my breath away. He starts to speak, “Hey, dove. You had me—” But I don’t let him finish. Overcome with emotion, I dash towards him, a feat that should be impossible for me. His expression shifts from shock to astonishment as I launch myself into his arms. My arms wrap around his neck, my legs around his waist, and he steadies me, his own surprise resonating through the connection we share. “Chloe Jane?” he breathes out my na

Chloe Jane Deacon and the rest left three hours ago, and yet I’m sitting here, staring at the door even though I can’t see, waiting for him to walk back. Caleb is somewhere in the pack house but I can’t help feeling like he’s resenting me for needing to stay behind. His ability could have been used to an advantage as well, but he’s here babysitting me. I wish Deacon took me up on the offer to see his fate, but they all refused me. They said it would make them overconfident or get morale down if it goes either way. I should have just done it anyway, I think; if only to ease my own worries. Sitting alone, the silence of the room amplifies my thoughts, each one a tangled mess of worry for Deacon and the others. I can’t shake the feeling of being a burden, a sentiment that’s only grown since Caleb had to stay behind. I’m lost in thought, tracing the lines of the sofa’s armrest, when I hear the door creak open. Caleb steps in, his presence unmistakable. “Hey, Chloe Jane,” Caleb’s voic

Chloe Jane /“Wake up, Chloe Jane! You’re in danger! Please, wake up!”/ I groan, my entire body feeling stiff for some reason. Did I fall asleep on the couch waiting for Deacon? /“Chloe Jane, listen to me! You’re in danger!”/ I immediately sit up straight when I hear Halo’s voice and notice that the air around me seems stale and dusty. I move my arms, only to hear the clanking of chains and feel my wrists burning in protest. Someone’s shackled me with silver chains! Okay, I’m definitely not in the pack house anymore…so what— Flashes of walking back into the living room with Caleb, then we sat down when my vision faded and then… my heart stills when I remember smelling Mason’s intoxicating scent. Did he force me to come with him by scenting me into submission? /“He did and you need to listen to me, Chloe Jane. He’s going to force you to use your Spinner ability to change his fate—”/ /“But that’s not what I do,”/ I say with a frown and shake my head even as I can’t see her. /“I ca

Chloe JaneI sit up in bed with a smile on my face, excitement coursing through my veins. I did it! An idea popped into my head about visiting Deacon in his dreams, and it just worked! I have no idea how I did it, but just focusing on getting to Deacon helped!“Thank you, Halo,” I whisper into the dimness, acknowledging the pivotal role my familiar has played in all this. “For everything. For guiding me, for giving me the tips on how to reach out to him.”/“It was all you, Chloe Jane. You’re stronger than you realize,”/ Halo responds, her voice a comforting presence in my mind.Encouraged by my success, a new plan begins to take shape. If I could reach Deacon in his dreams, maybe there’s more I can do with Halo’s help. I focus, calling on Halo’s sight once again, and turn my attention to Leianna, curious to see if I can establish a similar connection.To my astonishment, I find Leianna awake, sitting up, her hands moving through the air as if she’s handling something delicate, somethi

Chloe JaneI can barely keep track of the days, but according to the scant meals we’ve received, it’s been two. Two days since I spun Ivan a tale about changing his fate, and two days since I last reached out to Deacon, hoping against hope that he’d find us. Sometimes Leianna visits me in my dreamscape, but I can see her hope starting to fade. But something tells me she’s used to the bleakness of life, I can see it with the way her eyes have dimmed. She doesn’t think we’re getting out of here.I want to ask her about her life back home, but I doubt she’d tell me. She grew up in a cult and was worshiped like some Goddess. I can’t possibly imagine what she’s been through, so I won’t pry.My sight has been returning more and for longer periods than before, but that immediately changes when Ivan suddenly bursts into the attic, his presence like a dark cloud billowing through the cramped space. My normal vision fades and Halo’s negative one takes its place.Without a word, he grabs me, h