It's been a hell of a day. The cursed black pattern has spreading again, just like before. Today, Alfareezel tried to take over tried to break free. But something stopped him. Some force I can't yet identify. These attacks are going to get worse, more painful. And nothing can ease it.
But something else is gnawing at me. How did Meredia break through my shield?
I stood up from the bathtub, wrapping the robe around myself, muscles tense with lingering frustration. As I did, her face flashed in my mind- those wide golden eyes, flushed cheeks, the way her breath caught when she saw me. Why the hell am I thinking about this?
When she broke through the shield, I was too drained to resist. She grabbed my hand, refusing to leave her voice trembling with fear and something else I couldn't quite place. And then, when I stood up... I can still see the shock and embarrassment in her eyes, the way her face turned crimson. It wouldn't been amusing if it wasn't so damned distracting.
