"Aurelia, you're awake! Does it still hurt? Is there anywhere uncomfortable? Are you thirsty? Hungry?"
Mason Nightshade asked a barrage of questions, reaching out to her, but—
"Snap"
A crisp sound.
Aurelia Shaw slapped his hand away.
Mason Nightshade was stunned, suddenly recalling that she had just woken up and might not have recovered from the fear of being injured.
His voice softened, gently coaxing, "Aurelia, don't be afraid, it's all over now. That person has been dealt with."
"Dealt with?" Such icy words spilled from Aurelia's lips with a faint, elusive smile.
Mason Nightshade suddenly sensed something different about Aurelia now that she'd awakened, as if a thin, yet palpable, invisible barrier existed between them.
She seemed colder towards him,
perhaps due to the shock?
Mason Nightshade's eyes revealed a hint of distress; he bent over, gazing into her eyes, his deep gaze filled with unmistakable tenderness.
