Xander looks away, his fists clenching with inner turmoil. The air thickens with animosity until, in an act of surrender, Xander's hands release their grip, his shoulders slumping with defeat. 'You're right,' he concedes, with resignation, and gazes at Janie before making eye contact with Warrick. ‘You can go through the portal and live in their world only if it’s what Rose wants,’ he says, then stares at me. ‘This is not a decision you should take lightly. You have a few days to contemplate your choice.'
I nod, understanding the difficult decision I need to make.
As night blankets the camp, Orelious tenderly kisses Imogen before watching over her as she slumbers. The chill in the air causes goosebumps across my arms, and I shiver. I can sense Warrick fighting not to storm over and climb into my bedroll to keep me warm. Gratefully, I manage to find sleep, but soon regret is as I'm carried into an utter nightmare.
Gretchen's menacing visage lurches closer, her wicked cackle piercing the air. Her razor-sharp fingernail, resembling a blade, inches menacingly towards my vulnerable neck. Pain sears through me as her nail cruelly pierces my skin, only to be swiftly replaced by a suffocating grip around my throat. In a disorienting twist, Gretchen's face morphs into Brad's, intensifying my terror. 'Stay away from me, Brad! Please, don't hurt me,' I cry out, fighting desperately to break free. My nails rake across his face and chest, clawing with primal desperation. Amidst my screams, I faintly hear beeping and a distant voice shouting my name. The sound grows louder, and I realise it is Warrick's voice cutting through the darkness. My eyes snap open, and I gasp for precious air, instinctively reaching for my neck to ensure Brad's hands are no longer there. In my frantic search, I inadvertently scratch myself, blood welling up, only to feel the wound heal instantly, leaving no trace of injury other than the trickle of blood.
'Rose!' Warrick's voice cuts through the haze of my residual fear. He gently rubs my arms, his worried gaze locked onto mine. 'It's okay, I'm here. You're awake now. You were having a nightmare,' he reassures me.
Guilt floods my being as my gaze shifts from Warrick's healing scratches to his torn and bloodied shirt. 'I hurt you!' I exclaim in horror. My hands tremble, shifting back from wolf form to human hands. 'I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry!' I cry out, wrapping my arms tightly around Warrick.
'Hush,' he whispers, his touch soothing me. 'It's alright. It’s all healed. Don't worry about me. I'm worried about you,' he says, gently gripping my chin to draw my gaze back to his. 'Who's Brad?' he asks, concern lacing his voice.
My eyes widen, and I instinctively remove his hand from my chin, retreating from his touch.
Xander, Orelious, Janie, and Imogen form a protective circle around me, their expressions filled with genuine concern. Nearby, Mister Kal and Pixel watch with keen eyes from a tree branch. Janie and Imogen exchange worried glances, their lips bitten in silent concern.
I steady myself, standing upright, as I respond, 'It's no one,' I answer, realising it's morning.
'Rose,' Warrick's tone grows stern, commanding my attention. 'You were yelling in your sleep, fighting someone off, begging them to stay away and not hurt you. Is he why you're so afraid of being in a relationship? Why you don't want to be with me?'
I keep my eyes downcast, unable to meet Warrick's gaze. Slowly, I nod, acknowledging the truth.
'Stars and Hexes!' Warrick exclaims, tugging at his hair in frustration. 'I knew it. I knew someone had been hurting you. It was him. This Brad guy?' His questions pierce my silence. ‘Who is he to you? A neighbour a relative?’ he asks.
Once again, I keep my eyes fixed on the grassy patch beneath my feet, instinctively wrapping my arms around myself. 'Brad is my ex-boyfriend,' I confess, summoning the courage to meet Warrick's gaze.
Warrick, now knowing that I’ve had prior relationships, stings him a little, but then he takes a deep breathe, calming himself. 'This, us, you—it's starting to make a lot more sense. Why you don't want to be with me. You know I would never hurt you,' he whispers, a raw vulnerability colouring his words.
'I know,' I reply softly, my voice barely a whisper. 'But I can't bring myself to be in a relationship. My mind and my heart are not ready. They are trying to heal, but I may never fully heal from what I went through,’ I explain with profound sadness.
Warrick steps closer, cupping my face tenderly with both hands. 'Pain will always leave its mark, even if it remains hidden,' he says, with empathy and understanding.
I nod, gratitude welling within me, and without hesitation, I lean forward, wrapping my arms around him. 'Thank you for being patient and understanding,' I say, with genuine appreciation.
The faint beeping sound that permeated my dream persists, drawing our attention. 'What is that?' Warrick asks, curiosity evident in his voice.
'Perhaps it's a bird?' Orelious suggests, his eyes scanning the surroundings for the source of the sound.
Breaking away from Warrick's embrace, I mount my glowhorn-stag and lean over to retrieve my mobile phone from the saddlebag. 'It's just my phone,' I explain, pressing the home button to illuminate the screen. The battery indicator flashes red, signalling it is going flat. 'The beeping is because it's about to run out of battery. It's at two per cent,' I clarify.
'Rose Peregrine,' Xander growls, his frustration palpable. 'What did I tell you about bringing items from your world? Do you ever follow instructions?' he chastises.
'No,' I reply, a calm defiance underlining my response.
Warrick chuckles with amusement. 'I do enjoy my mate's spirited nature,' he interjects, crossing his arms and casting a mischievous smirk in Xander's direction.
'Does it even matter now, given the fact the Mystic Council are now dead?' I ask.
'I suppose not as much anymore, but it's not the point, Rose. You knew you weren't supposed to bring it,' Xander scolds with exasperation.
'Well, I'm sorry, okay? It's not like I intentionally brought it along to irritate you. We can spend the whole day arguing about it, or we can focus on our current mission and make our way to the Crystal Mines,' I suggest, to not waste any more time bickering.
Xander sighs, defeat washing over him. 'Fine, you're right. It doesn't matter now. I've learned the hard way that you rarely listen and seldom adhere to rules. Let's move forward and concentrate on our mission,' he concedes, mounting his stag.