EVABELLE

The mirror room was where it ended.

Every mirror fractured and exploded inward. Shards of glass punctured through her flesh, tearing mercilessly through muscle and organs, pouring scarlet over the dark floor right before it pierced directly through her heart.

The reflection shattered the life of Calandra Ensign after her own sister laughed in her face, blaming her for making Etheldreda into the witch that she'd become.

Evabelle knew that that was where this part of the dream ended; the one that all began with music and dancing in the ballroom with the elaborate mural on the surrounding walls. She'd had this dream so many times she had it memorized. She could never stop the inevitable end. But then this dream always led into another nightmare and then another. In each one, she would never be able to save the people she loved.

She silently watched the crowd swaying and laughing. She heard Calandra giggle and twirl in her shimmery gown. It was the laugh of a child coming through the adult. Evabelle saw the piano and it's player that orchestrated the beautiful music and the thin red head's adoring voice that completed the composition. Sometimes, like this time, Shaundee Valentine bewitched the keys to continue their song, so she could steal the man and join the crowd of dancers. Both of them were alight and in love, completely oblivious to their surroundings. There was only the other in their eyes.

Why did it have to be so happy only to be crushed down to devastation? Why were things like that? Why was life like that?

Evabelle hitched herself against the wall, away from the people, so she didn't have to watch Shaundee walk away. But she couldn't escape the sudden decline of atmosphere. The music was sucked up, the party guests vanished, all except Calandra.

The floor was gone, and they fell but didn't land. They only appeared in the room where it ended.

The mirrors were every wall, including the door. The ceiling and floor also turned the decent sized room into something vast, endless, and...lonely. It was cold and everywhere the face of a young girl with coppery hair, much like her mother's, leered out.

Evabelle's vision hazed and she saw an older man with a sharp, handsome face. Long dark hair tied back, eyes as clear blue as a summer sky.

"Look what you have created," Etheldreda's voice laughed, but Evabelle shivered as she thought she heard a different undercurrent voice. It was low and cruel, but she knew it could sound sweet and kind.

It wasn't Etheldreda's.

It wasn't Averno's.

Then the room burst into sharp splinters of glass, coursing inward at the mage and Evabelle at its center.

She'd witnessed the scene so many times. Maybe that was why when it happened to her in real time, Evabelle hadn't flinched when Averno had blown up the room. The glass imbedded in her skin and Aza yelled at her as she'd yanked out the pieces with shaky hands before Calandra just magicked the fragments out.

But the shards in the dream were enormous razor-sharp spears that would be far worse than the tiny cuts that Evabelle had dealt with.

Already the tears burned her eyes as she watched the mirror pierce Calandra's arms, scrape across her forehead. Evabelle's throat seared as she screamed just like she did every time. There was no stopping it, but she couldn't not try. Her feet wouldn't move as the glass rained down. It stung in the dream, but this was just a dream. It wasn't real.

Zion, her father, had told her she had a bit of foresight as an heir to the anahalian throne. Considering that this had been a recurring nightmare, Evabelle knew that not all of it was just a dream.

"Calandra, please! You have to—!"

"Help me."

Evabelle wasn't sure how she heard it. The faint whisper that Calandra uttered into the din of the explosion.

Then there was a low rumble that made Evabelle teeter on her feet, before the wall behind them burst, filling the air with more glass and a deafening roar had the darker girl clapping her hands over her ears. She gasped as an enormous red scaled creature curled around both women taking the hits of mirror, most of it merely breaking up once they hit the magnificent beast, all except that one piece that always hit the mage's heart. It sank into the dragon's hide, making the giant animal shudder, but he didn't flinch from his position.

Evabelle gazed at this amazing thing before her. He was massive. He was gorgeous. A faint heat radiated off shimmering burgundy scales, not too hot, but the perfect warmth of a wooly blanket blocking out the harsh cold. Thin streams of light flashed beneath the outer shell, glowing gold underneath like rivers of fire in his blood. His snout was long and strong with large dangerous teeth that Evabelle knew would never dare hurt the two girls that it had in its long steel claws.

The dragon's eyes opened and Evabelle could literally fall into the golden green. He blinked at his rescuees, about to lift his head before it jerked hard in a great twinge of pain.

Calandra stepped up to the great creature's face, a large piece of mirror crushing under her boot. She lifted her hand and took the long nose in them and stared into the beast's eyes. "It's not," she murmured to it.

The dragon gave a small dip of his head in agreement.

Then the mage made a sound that wasn't of a child. It wasn't some far-gone memory that had faded. It was genuine. It was now.

She laughed.

She laughed as if a band had just burst from around her lungs and she could finally experience the bliss of being able to breathe fully and to be happy with her entire self, but there was a damp sound mixed with it.

Evabelle had never seen the hard-faced woman shed a single tear, not even in this dream. But this dream was clearly different. The girl approached slowly and saw Calandra Ensign smiling, ear to ear, as tears of utter relief rolled down her cheeks. Then the mage pressed her forehead against the warm scales and whispered softly until her green magic danced from her fingers and across the body of the dragon.

Evabelle blinked several times as the image of the happy mage and the strong dragon blurred into one bleary shape, the warmth fading as the vision got further and further away. She rubbed her knuckles to her eyes and opened them again to see the blood and broken glass that should have been, but the slumped form had thin wings and russet hair. Blood pooled from his back and stained the dark orange feathers.

The metal chink sounded from Aza stringing her wall of silver flowers around the two of them as the terrible voice rained over all of them.

"Cursed. That's what you are. You are cursed. All of this has happened because of you. Because of you, she's dead. Because of you, the world will burn."

As the echoing prophecy declared, the barrier burned hot under Evabelle's touch and it impossibly burst into high arcing flames. The two people within the fiery ring smiled as it spread to them, devouring them both.

Evabelle cried their names as tears and smoke burned her eyes. "Aza! Faux! PLEASE!" She banged her fists against the metal and the pain spread up her arms as the fire clung to her. She wailed at the pain and fell to her knees.

A high whinny chorused behind the sobbing girl, and she spun around to see a man dressed in full black armor, riding a horse with a silky white mane that flowed out behind it. A small brown, speckled bird soared behind him with severe determination for such a tiny creature.

With not a moment of hesitation, the knight lead his steed right up to the wall and leapt over the tumultuous flames. The back hooves smashed through the array of charms, sending them scattering into the center around Aza and Faux's burning forms.

The bird dipped and dodged around the angry heated metal and darted in after the knight.

The light horse galloped in front of the tiny blonde girl that was still on fire. The knight reached out his hand. At first Aza shook her head, but the knight tilted his head in what looked like some kind of playful gesture, like he was daring her.

A very familiar expression danced up Evabelle's friend's face, and the observing girl's heart leapt as Aza flung her flaming hand up and grasped the knight's armored one, so he could swing her up behind him. Aza wrapped her arms around the knight as he snapped the reins, and the two of them flew over the broken wall. The girl on fire, no longer burning, but blazing out behind the dark knight like his very own wings of fire.

Evabelle watched them vanish into the unknown, the song of Aza's wild, free, uninhibited laughter ringing out forever and ever. Then the brunette turned back to watch the small twittering bird tugging at the front of Faux's singed shirt. It physically could not lift the fallen man, but his attention did swivel to the miniature animal as it landed on his chin, even though he was still on fire as well. Normal birds did not have the emotional, let alone the physical capacity to look stern or demanding, but this little creature managed both with a unique grace. Faux chuckled and pushed himself up.

Evabelle insides clenched as she saw the slashed cuts biting deep into his back and wings, still oozing blood. It reminded her too much of her own little brother's after coming back from tunnels behind the dwarf tavern. But Faux was smiling now, not his usual over-cocked grin that hid himself, but one that looked like he was about to cry. Evabelle, whose tears had stopped when the cavalry arrived, now felt the tingling return from just seeing that heartbreaking smile.

The anahalian stood slowly, wincing in pain, but followed the fluttering bird to the rim of the wall that still billowed out its feral fire. Faux came to a halt as the bird flapped over to the other side. His forested eyes widened and he took a step back.

Evabelle shook her head. No. She remembered when the two of them were held captive in the Ciennal Caverns on the elven spiral. She could still feel his fingers curling into her side, his head burying itself in the back of her neck, his wretched whispered confession. 'I hate fire.'

"Faux," Evabelle's voice was surprisingly soft and she hadn't even realized she'd said it. But the steady sound of it echoed about in this dark chamber, and the man's frightful expression eased a little. The bird faded and a tall, slender woman took its place. She wore a long pale golden gown with a glittery white veil covering her face. She stood on one side of the burning wall, while Faux blinked in astonishment on the other side. This beautiful lady gestured up and down the anahalian, telling him that he was on fire at that very moment, but there was no char darkening him. Faux examined this in wonder then looked back up at this shrouded being who held out her hand through the flames. The fire ate at the silken sleeves of her dress, but she did not withdraw. Faux took that hand and allowed her to pull him through to the other side. That's when Evabelle saw a smile that stole her breath. It wasn't the fake one. It wasn't one that stood on the edge of pain and relief. It was one that took up his whole face. It was one that shattered the rest of the wall of fire. It was strong and genuine and full warmth.

Faux beamed down at the beautiful woman, whose hand he still held tight. He went to lift the veil, but the image before Evabelle disappeared again and morphed into another darkly familiar scene.

A murky room, filled with medieval decor. A set of stairs led up to a terrible throne, where an eerily pale man sat. The metallic stench of blood was suffocating. The stone floor was littered with the bodies of drained humans, elves, and Evabelle could see the resembling feathered wings of some anahalians she knew well.

The sobbing echoed around her. Evabelle didn't want to look, but she focused on the man, pinned to the throne by shadowy hands. His face and mouth were streaked in blood.

A young boy was brought to him and Kai's whole body writhed, but his eyes gleamed scarlet as he lunged greedily at the youth's throat. There was snap of his neck and the boy was tossed over the side of the steps and another was brought to the fallen elf prince.

"Enough! I've had enough!" Kai's voice was raw, his head bowed, unable to look at who would be his next victim.

Evabelle stepped closer, the lake of blood lapping around her shins. Normally, she ran when she heard the bitter, broken tone, but something was happening. Clearly, the dream was changing. She didn't know what was causing this, but Calandra, Aza, and Faux had all been saved. Each one of them had been pulled from their own self-destructive nightmares by some creature or another. There was hope rising over the fumes of death.

The man in the dark fur cape with the shaded lavender hair strode out as he always did. He stood tall beside Kai, like an advisor controlling a puppet king.

Kruor.

Evabelle knew his name now. The sadistic vampire prince that had Turned the elf. He lifted Kai's chin so he could look into the pureblood's eyes. He leaned in closer as though to kiss the crying man.

Evabelle, if possible, felt even sicker.

"That's where you're wrong," Kruor hissed. "You will never have enough." Then he pulled back right has Gem was brought before Kai.

"NO!" The sound made Evabelle want to shut her eyes. She'd seen this too much. Where was his rescuer? "I won't do it!" Kai flailed. "I won't! I won't! I WON'T!" He glared at Kruor through crimson tears. "This is your fault!"

The vampire twisted the ruby tear that hung around his neck "No, wrong again. This is your fault. It always has been."

Kai's body spasmed as his eyes went red again. They flashed back to his sister. His lust for blood was taking control. He slammed his eyes shut. "PLEASE," Kai shrieked. "I'LL DO ANYTHING!"

The door to the bloodied throne room boomed open.

Evabelle spun, the dark liquid splashing up her knees.

A tall, faceless man stepped soundlessly onto the threshold. Long fine clothes adorned him. A true pristine king. He wore a long cloak that brushed at his heels. All of his attire was the same as his face. Pale, but not stark white. It was more the color of dried bone. He glided in and up along the rolled carpet that led to Kai and Kruor. The doors shut behind him with a clang.

Evabelle stared, entranced by this man as the sea of red parted like this man was Moses himself. Not of speck of blood stained his robes. As he neared the frozen girl, she recognized the face that had no eyes, no nose, and no mouth was not a face at all. It was a mask. It had long grooves that reiterated Evabelle's disturbing impression that it was literally made out of bone.

The air that had been filled with the thick humid stench of blood was sucked away to the point where it felt as if there was only ash and dust. Evabelle swallowed, but even that felt sparse and rough on her throat.

"Kai?" Gem's quavering voice broke the silence that the man had cast.

"Gem," Kai cried. "It is going to be okay." But his eyes was on the man that rose up the stairs, pushing aside the shadow men without even touching them.

The man of bone reached the top and stared down at Kai who stared silently back. The unknown being placed a pale hand on Gem's shoulder. She didn't respond to it, but Kai grit his teeth and snarled.

A hiss like steam reverberated behind the mask and Kai's angry expression flashed through surprise, horror, relief, and acceptance.

Evabelle didn't understand any of it. She glanced at the vampire that had Turned Kai, but Kruor only stared at Kai, completely oblivious to the other man. He didn't react as the man of bone pulled out a long, thin sword that was made of the same materiel at his mask and held it out to Kai, who nodded.

Evabelle's thin, bloodied friend's fingers curled around the hilt and strength must have spread up his arm as he finally managed to pull free of his bonds. Kai leapt to his feet and swiped down on them, making them fall. Then he turned to Gem's holders, who he struck down quickly. Then he turned on Kruor, who smirked, unperturbed by this development.

The dark vampire pulled out his own sword and the two clashed across the dais. Gem flinched at each chink of metal on bone. She looked like she wanted to run, but she would never run away from her brother.

Evabelle's hands clasped over her mouth as she watched with bated breath. From the corner of her eye she caught sight of the mystery man, who in all the clamor had sat down on the throne himself. He slouched to the side, resting his chin in his palm, seeming bored.

Kai tumbled down, his sword slipping from his grip. Kruor laughed and straddled him, leering down with his wicked fangs. But before Kruor killed Kai, the heir of the elves thrust his lengthened nails—his own vampire claws—up into Kruor's bare chest. Kai's other hand swiped upward and he tore off the blood drop necklace as Kruor collapsed.

A familiar chirping sounded in Evabelle's ear as she finally breathed out, but that breath make the scene swirl away.

She was now in the ice cold prison where Sophie, who was now Etheldreda, tugged at a chain around CJ's neck.

Evabelle viewed the two of them through frozen steel bars that scalded her palms.

CJ knelt in a thin, pathetic heap on the moldy stonework floor, barely reacting to the woman holding his metal leash.

"CJ," Evabelle whispered. In the past, he was the only one that ever responded to her calls. She had screamed before, but the faint sound still brought the same reaction. He twitched, his visible breath catching for a moment.

But just like always, Etheldreda yanked the shackle tighter so that he couldn't breathe at all. "You are my dog. You belong to me. You were never anything before anyway. What do you think you would be if you weren't mine?"

CJ's face was blue, but just because he couldn't breathe didn't mean he couldn't cry. Tears slipped out of his eyes right before he hung his arms at his sides in defeat.

Evabelle shook her head. "No! You can't stop fighting! Someone's going to save you!" She hoped this dream continued its differing pattern. Calandra, Faux, Aza, and Kai; one by one everyone had a savior that came in one shape or another. They were being pulled from the fire, shielded from death, given the tools to fight their demons.

But this was the part of her dream that Evabelle saved CJ, partially. But he had to look at her first. "I'm right here! I can help you!"

CJ turned and the moment his eyes met hers, the bars vanished. She darted forward and crashed through the chain. The witch screamed, and again Evabelle saw the shine of the shackle that was caught around Etheldreda's neck.

This part, Evabelle completely understood. She hadn't before, but she had severed the chain in the real world too. The one part that still scared her was that even though she'd saved him from Etheldreda's hold, he always died anyway.

She dashed to CJ's side and lifted his head into her lap. His eyes stared blankly back at her, making her heart clog her throat. "No, you're supposed to live this time."

"She was right," he said as if he hadn't heard her.

"No, she wasn't! CJ, you are so much more! You can't leave!" Evabelle's voice rose high. "Come on, you can't believe that you're worthless. No one is worthless."

CJ's eyes blinked slowly, looking confused. "Are you sure?" His voice was almost undetectable.

She nodded insistently.

He turned his head to the side, and Evabelle looked up and her mouth fell open.

A huge, sleek, black panther prowled toward them. On its back rode Thom, Evabelle's little brother, like a blond Mowgli. The pair reached them and the large cat knelt, allowing Thom to slide off. A dark handkerchief blindfolded the little boy's eyes. The cloth was stained and the girl's heart bounded painfully, praying it wasn't what she thought it was.

Thom, though he could not see, reached out and placed both hands on either side of CJ's face and gave a small smile.

Evabelle jumped as CJ burst into tears and turned to the eight-year-old. The body that lay on the girl racked with sobs. Then Thom leaned down and kissed CJ's forehead and the crying subsided. The child withdrew, and Evabelle lifted her hand to take away the rag from his vision. In the waking world, Thom still couldn't stand being near her since his torture. But even in this dream, it was a piece of him. She just wanted to be with him again. She longed for him to see her again with the eyes of undoubting love.

She lowered her hand without taking away the blindfold.

The leopard came up next. It rubbed itself against CJ's cheek like it was its domesticated counterpart. A rumbling sound that wasn't quite a purr stirred within the animal. CJ stared worriedly at the big cat. He glanced over to Thom, who nodded encouragingly, even though the boy's eyes were covered.

Then to Evabelle's surprise, CJ sat up and placed a hand on top of panther's head. The sound that wasn't quite purring got louder. The cat and young man suddenly started to glow. She pushed back and gaped as the beautiful lithe animal shimmered and flaked away like burning paper. CJ's lit form attracted the dark pieces toward himself. They went up his arm and faded into his skin. It carried on until he'd absorbed the entire beast.

The expression on his face changed. The fearful uncertainness dissipated. The gauntness that had carved itself into his features filled in. He glowed brightly and got to his feet.

Evabelle leaned back to look up at CJ, but it was like she'd pushed off of a space shuttle and she was floating away from her friend and her brother.

When gravity pulled her back down, she found herself in the white room with no way in or out. The only thing in the barren room was a chair and Del with his head buried in his hands.

"I hate this!" His voice sounded like it had been scraped down a cheese grater. "Make it stop! Make these things stop! Please! I don't want to see them anymore! PLEASE!" He bent over further and groaned, his fingers twisting in his long hair.

Evabelle wished she could shut it out. Del was never like this. He would never break down in front of anyone, but this was what was in his head. And she loathed witnessing it as much as he despised experiencing it.

"I hate this! I hate being this! I hate being hated!"

The way he'd grown up. The way both he and Lucis had grown up.

"I just want...I just want..." His voice could barely manage the simple words. "I just want...someone...to...."

Evabelle braced herself, but that didn't stop the shudder as the demon slunk inside.

"I love you."

The enormous serpent, almost the size of the dragon, slithered into the room from an unknown source. "I love you," it said again. There was no emotion in the words, but Evabelle saw the glint in its slit eyes that watched its prey.

"You do?" Del lifted his head, and Evabelle flinched at the desperate aching sound. He told the snake what he was, why he was pitied or hated, but the snake said the same three words in the same flat tone.

Del's broken smile was a like a knife in Evabelle's chest. Come on! Let this end. Someone would come and pull him out of this. Someone had to strike the snake down. Someone had to honestly love him and show him indisputably that they loved him with true compassion and desire.

The monstrous reptile swirled up Del's leg and around his body, tightening itself to him, but he didn't notice the blood she was cutting off. His eyes were wide and loving as he stared at the beast. "You'll stay with me?"

No! Whatever or whoever was coming had to hurry.

"Thank you," Del whispered.

"I love you," The snake said before is plunged it's fangs into Del's neck. Blood gurgled up, but Del's expression remained void of fear or pain.

Evabelle opened her mouth to scream that this was not okay. He needed to snap out of it. But she could not speak in this dream, yet a sound still rang out over the hiss and spatter of blood hitting the ground.

It was a song. A beautiful, but rather untraditional melody poured out over the room.

Del's clouded eyes, suddenly came back into focus. He winced and tried to pull away from the bite. "Stop!" He shouted and shoved the monster away.

The snake snarled and went to strike again, landing it's fangs in his arm, but Del wasn't taking it anymore. He glared at the thing in a far more Del-like fashion and swung himself over the snake and ripped his arm free, while slamming the flat, scaled head to the ground. Blood poured out from both of his wounds and he teetered on his feet. The bites had tinges of yellow mixed into the red.

Poison.

"Are you coming?" He shouted to something behind Evabelle. His voice was so much stronger, though he was looked paler.

A stunning, wild, fiery bird streaked over Evabelle's head, the unique song emanating from its mouth. Fire from its dazzling burgundy feathers danced off the walls, sending shadows and color in every direction. It circled around the anahalian and the snake.

Evabelle caught it's eye and saw molten metal in its irises. They were beads of blazing rivers of gold and silver. And to the girl's bizarre sense of joy, the majestic creature winked at her before diving onto the head of the serpent.

The snake reared back and whipped its tail, almost smacking Evabelle across the room. The fire-bird clawed at the eyes with its talons. It ripped up scales and slashed down the monster's legless body. But the hissing creature was fast too. It swung about and smashed the bird from the sky and lunged down, fangs piercing the bird straight through to its heart.

"NO!" Del's and Evabelle's voice rang out in unison.

Evabelle had never been able to move or speak in Del's part before, but this time she bolted for the fallen animal. She slid to her knees, ignoring the snake that had pulled back to examine its work, and placed a hand over the beautiful bird's gilded chest. There was not wild beat under her fingers.

She wasn't sure why she said it, but words that would have no meaning to this miracle slipped out of Evabelle's mouth. "You're not allowed to leave me. You can't die. You promised."

Warmth bloomed across Evabelle's palm and the flames burst to life again, getting hotter and brighter until she had to cover her face.

There was a long scream, but still she couldn't see. When the cry stopped, Evabelle finally opened her eyes and saw the bird fluttering in front of her. She looked behind her and saw the great and powerful snake was nothing more than a pile of ash.

"The phoenix will rise from the ashes," Evabelle whispered. "More like, she'll reap the ashes."

Del's legs buckled, and he collapsed into a pool of his own blood. Evabelle snapped back onto him and watched the bird soar to his side. It landed on his shoulder and he gave her a side grin. "I knew you'd come," his voice was hoarse and growing weaker. "Will you stay with me?"

Just like one of Evabelle's favorite scenes in Harry Potter, the gorgeous phoenix leaned itself close and silvery tears slipped from its brilliant eyes. The wounds closed and the poison washed away.

Del closed his eyes as the bird leaned its head against his. It let out a soft croon. Though Evabelle couldn't understand it, she knew what it meant. She could feel it throughout the entire room.

There was one part of the dream left. One very important part.

Unlike all the others, this last one was outside.

The strong, handsome angel stood tall and smiled wholesomely at everyone who passed. He didn't do a thing to the people that shouted at him, called him a monster. Deep slashes gushed out black blood, and all the while he remained silent.

Evabelle shouted back at the people, but they didn't care. They didn't listen.

"Murderer!"

"Stop lying to yourself!"

"Go before you hurt anyone else!"

"Just die already!"

"You're his son! You're his spawn! You're his demon!"

Never did the kind expression left his face, not even as his eyes rolled up and he fell. Evabelle dropped to his side just like she always did. She pushed back his hair and her tears slipped onto his cheeks, but unlike the phoenix's, they did not heal the cuts.

"You're not a demon, Lucis," she whispered close. "You are an angel, fighting for what's right. You go through every struggle and help other's with theirs. You give yourself to the world, even though they don't deserve it." She hiccupped and shut her eyes tight. Her hand gripped his stained shirt. "Do you hear me, Lucis?"

She knew that there was no one coming for Lucis. There was only Evabelle. That just meant that she would save him.

A shadow loomed over the crying girl.

"No," Evabelle said without looking up. "You can't have him."

"Isn't that his choice?" Averno asked.

Evabelle lifted her head and glared up at him. "You think that he would choose you!"

Averno crouched down in front of her, across from his son. "I can save you, Lucis," he said softly.

"No!" Evabelle shouted. "You know that's not true!"

Averno placed a gentle hand on his son's cheek. To Evabelle's horror, Lucis leaned into it. She went to smack it away, but suddenly Lucis's blue eyes opened. He stared unblinkingly at his father.

"Lucis!" Evabelle exclaimed. "I'm here, I'm right here." She went to touch his face too, but he flinched away as a searing black burn bubbled up where her fingers had brushed. "No! I'm so sorry! I—"

Averno placed his hand where Evabelle had been going to, and the angered flesh cooled and faded. Lucis's expression relaxed. "Come," Averno reached out his hand for his son to take.

"No!" Evabelle grabbed Lucis's wrist and he cried out in pain as again his skin darkened at her touch.

And again, Averno eased the agony with a mere stroke of his fingers.

Then Lucis pushed himself away from Evabelle. "I don't want to hurt anymore."

Averno smiled. "Then come with me, and I'll make sure you never hurt again."

Evabelle's body shook. What was happening? This was worse than any other time. In each section of the dream, everyone was saved. But this...this wasn't how it was supposed to be for Lucis.

The wonderful man that she was completely in love with, took the hand of his father and allowed himself to be pulled up to his feet. He wobbled a little, but Averno held him firm and guided him away from the crowd. Away from Evabelle.

After a moment of stunned horror, Evabelle leapt up and ran after them.

Averno led Lucis up to a set of steps leading into a dark house. Averno slipped inside and left Lucis at the top.

"Lucis, please!" Evabelle shouted.

Slowly, Lucis looked back at her.

"You can't go with him! You know he's wrong!"

Lucis closed his eyes and clenched his fists. "Then who can save me?"

Evabelle skipped up the stairs, so that she was one right below him. She automatically reached out her hand to grab his but froze. Every time she touched him, she hurt him worse. "I-I don't-" Her voice shook.

Pain ruptured through Evabelle's chest, sending blinding white stars in front of her eyes. The air was gone and she stared down at the fist that had struck right through her ribcage. She could feel the fingers closing around her seizing heart.

Her own blood bubbled up into her mouth as she lifted her head and stared into the sky eyes that she loved. Soft frayed, golden waves blew across his forehead. A tear slipped down his cheek. "Maybe this will free me."

He yanked out her heart and Evabelle woke up.

* * *

The sun hadn't risen, but a pale gray formed at the horizon line. Evabelle closed the curtains and slipped into her t-shirt and sweatpants. She tied her hair back in a tight bun after brushing her teeth and washing her face.

The halls were silent and she easily passed each door without disturbing the occupants. She did pause twice; briefly at CJ's and then at Thom's. Neither boy had spoken to her in the months since they'd arrived. She didn't want to push them. They were healing. It took time.

The light that cast over the quiet training room was dim, but it was all Evabelle needed. She stepped in and stretched before she wrapped her hands and punched the sandbag. She went over the moves she'd learned since coming to the Sanctuary. Before, they'd felt awkward, but when she'd actually tried, it came quickly. Her body moved smoothly, fluidly easing from one move to the next. A punch, a kick, a dodge, a spin, and back around. Ever since she'd gotten her wings, the routine even felt natural.

On queue, her back flared in an agonizing flash.

Evabelle gritted her teeth and staggered, bracing herself against the punching sack. She breathed in deep, slow breaths. It would pass. It always did. The pain of it never went away. Not fully, but the nasty piercing strike would only last a minute.

A few strands of hair slipped free of her bun. She stared down at the floor, still breathing deep. The pain wasn't as bad as when she'd still had the jagged pieces of bone as the only remnants of her wings, sticking out of her back. The bandages bled through, and the flares made her black out several times. Now, there were only long, jagged, vertical scars. But the pain hadn't fully left. When an episode happened, she could at least manage it. And there was always the perpetual ache, but that had just become commonplace. It was the way it was. It wasn't going to change...but maybe this was what had changed the dream.

Evabelle lifted her head. She didn't want to think about what had happened, but that wasn't something she could escape. The nightmare that had plagued her for so long. It had been immovable and constant. But this was the first time she'd had it since she'd gotten her wings.

Evabelle swung her fist into the rough fabric of the bag, the pain finally tolerable again. Had her getting them back really affected the future like that? But what did all of it mean? Before, everyone had died in the dream, everyone except her. Now, everyone lived...except her.

Everyone was saved, except Lucis and herself.

She shoved the thought away. All this proved was that the future could be changed, so she would ensure that's what happened.

A prickling on the back of her neck—that Aza had deemed as her angel senses tingling—occurred. There had been no sound of the door opening, not a hint of anyone approaching, but Evabelle swerved left right as a fist whished past her right ear like bullet. She ducked as a leg swung over, lightning fast. She arched overtop as another kick came in low to imbalance her.

Evabelle spun and brought up her arms in quick succession as her attacker punched out several jabs. She ducked again and slid forward, putting one foot behind the man's dominant ankle and snatched his wrist, to catch him off guard, but that was kind of impossible.

He grabbed her other wrist and reversed her move back on herself, jerking his foot back and tripping Evabelle up. She would have fallen flat on her back, except he still had her arm.

Del's violet eyes flickered at her as he asked her the same question he'd asked every day since they'd started their morning spars. However, this time it held more weight, since this day had quite an agenda.

"Are you ready?"

((A/N: Are YOU ready?? I hope you are because we jump right into this thing. I hope the dream sequence in this wasn't too long or draggy. I realize it takes up 95% of this chapter, but I hope it was interesting. Do you have any predictions as to what they all meant???

--For those of you who don't remember, all of these dreams tie back to the end of book 1.--

Well, fun exciting action is on the way in chapter 2, which I will release next Friday! Hopefully, for those who've already read what I had from the first time of posting will be seeing new stuff next week!!

Thank you all! You are incredible!!))