Nicole sat upright in bed, her chest rising and falling too quickly, her fingers tangled in the blanket as though it might keep her anchored. The morning light spilled faintly across the floorboards, gilding the corners of the chamber, but the warmth of it didn't reach her trembling hands.
Beside her, Jasper stirred. He had never been much of a sleeper his mind was too restless, too full of shadows but when she was in his arms, it was different. It was grounding. He had almost convinced himself he could rest. But the moment her breath hitched, the moment her body tensed, Jasper's violet eyes slid open.
"Nicole." His voice was low, roughened from sleep but steady. He shifted up beside her, his arm draping across her waist as if to remind her she wasn't alone. "What's wrong?"
Nicole pressed a hand against her temple, still feeling the echo of her mother's words ringing in her skull. "I… I saw them again. My parents."
