Kaida was standing in front of Virelya's door when she reached it. Jealousy radiated off her. Her braid hung loosely over one shoulder, and she was still in her leathers.

  "Such a pretty thing" Kaida said, though her tone turned the words into an insult.

  "Move." Virelya was in no mood to deal with a teenager's tantrum.

  Kaida sneered and stepped closer, until they were face to face. This near Virelya could see the youth in her even more clearly. Kinda reached out a finger tracing the charm at the hollow of Virelya's throat. "Did he give you this before or after punishing you for disobeying his request about your hair?"

  Kaida's eyes shone in the lantern light, the green flashing brightly.

  Virelya caught her wrist as she reached for a curl, no rune marked Kaida's skin. Not yet. "Careful," she said quietly. "He sees more than you think." The rune tightened at Virelya's wrist, a warning meant for both of them.

  Kaida tried to pull free but failed, the frustration obvious in her face. Virelya threw her arm to the side using the momentum to move her to the side so she could reach the door. "You still have much to learn." She stepped into her room, locking the latch behind her.

  She stood with her hands on the door until she heard Kaida's steps disappear down the hall before she pressed her back against the wooden frame, eyes closed against the slight dizziness building behind her eyes.

  I added herbs to your cup to help you rest.

  Aethryn's words echoed in her head.

  The room felt warm, far too warm for the late autumn night. Virelya pushed herself off the door frame and started across the room to her bed. Her feet felt like she was trying to walk through clouds and her body felt heavy. She sat clumsily on the edge of the bed and her fingers fumbled with the laces of her boots, the stings tangling twice before she finally was able to slip them off.

  Her vision blurred at the edges and she blinked trying to focus. The candle on the table flickered and she swore she saw a face in the shadows, someone listening.

  A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  Her fingers reached for the charm almost of their own accord. The lazy warmth seemed to spread from both the necklace and her wrist at the same time.

  She laid on her side curling her legs up trying to still everything as it blurred in and out of focus. The rune pulsed softly once. Pleased. It spread warmth up her arm and she felt like it wrapped her in a soft blanket.

  Sleep wasn't just going to arrive, it was going to take her.

  The room dissolved around her becoming rain slicked stones of buildings in the alley. The softens of the silk replaced by scratchy tattered rags. She looked at her hands, the rough scars replaced by soft youth and dirt under her nails. She knew where this dream was going and she didn't want to be there.

  She knew the debt collected would be leaned in front of her the smell of stale ale on his breath as she hunkered in the corner of the dark alley. His breath close enough to feel on her cheek.

  "I can take payment in other forms." His voice was just as rough as she remembered and the tremble in her whole body was real. A shadow appeared at the other end of the alley.

  "What's happening here?" Aethryn's voice was soft and younger. He was not in his robes but a heavy traveling cloak hood pulled up against the rain.

  The debt collector didn't take his eyes off her. "Nothing worth bothering with. Be on your way." His hand gripped her upper arm just as it tightened, he was pulled off her slammed against the wall opposite where she sat.

  Aethryn was there now, his back to her as he advanced on the man. "Leave. Now. You tell no one that you saw me or the girl."

  The debt collector scrambled to his feet and hurried out of the alley. Aethryn crouched in front of her tucking a dripping curl behind her ear. She pulled away, tucking herself further into the corner. "Are you hurt little one?"

  She shook her head, not making eye contact with the man in front of her. He pulled his hood down, his black hair falling over his shoulders, soft caring grey eyes found her. "I can give you somewhere to warm up." He reached a gentle hand out to her, waiting, not commanding. Giving her the choice.

  The rain at the edges of the alley blurred, Aethryn's hand still in front of her patient, sure she would take it.

  Virelya felt herself hesitate, then something shifted in the air. The rain slowed. There was a figure at the end of the alley where the debt collector had fled. This figure didn't belong, he wore a simple traveling cloak blonde hair tied back at his neck.

  Dornath.

  His eyes found her young ones as if he had been waiting.

  "Child," he said and the words sounded as if he was standing next to her. "You can choose, you don't have to take the first hand offered."

  The rune flared then. Hot white pain searing up her arm. She reached for her wrist where no mark yet laid.

  Aethryn's face hardened and he straightened, turning toward the shimmering figure of Dornath. "You don't belong here."

  The dream refocused Aethryn was crouched in front of her again, soft patient. "Take my hand, little one. You'll be safe with me." He urged.

  Dornath moved closer but shadow crawled up his boots. "Safety within chains is not safety." His voice was the same gentle calmness she remembered from the river. "Look again, Virelya."

  The scene in front of her shuddered. First Aethryn's soft kind smile, warm firelight, a promise of belonging, it quickly faded, then she saw years of blood on her hands, the tower, her cage.

  Her breath caught as the rune again sent a shot of pain up her arm.

  She squeezed her eyes shut as tightly as she could. "This isn't real, I don't want to see all of this." She screamed over the suddenly howling wind.

  Dornath was at her side. "It's okay dear, you know the truth."

  The rune matched her screamed and the alley split like glass.

  She woke in her bed breathing faster than she dreamed possible her heartbeat a hammer in her ears. The silk sticking to her sweat slick skin. The necklace lay cold at her neck, the rune seeding at her wrist.