Revealed (Unbound, Book 5)

Chapter Fifty

The ground fell from beneath my feet, forcing me into a free fall. My body jerked, and I opened my eyes to find I was still in my room.

"Nora?" Calin mumbled from beside me and wrapped his arm around my waist. "You okay?"

I nodded even though he couldn't see me and snuggled deeper into the covers. Closing my eyes, I exhaled and allowed his presence to ease the terror I couldn't recall from my nightmare.

It's just a dream, I told myself, and repeated it until sleep stole my thoughts once more.

What felt like minutes later, I startled awake again, feeling frozen with fear that coursed through me like a paralytic that numbed my muscles and not my awareness. Immediately, I felt the absence of Calin's touch. My eyes darted around the darkness, the shadows threatening to pounce.

The need for light overcame my inability to move. I crawled out from under the blankets and got to my feet. On the tips of my toes, I crossed my room to flick the switch beside the door. I took a quick look around, ensuring nothing sinister was hiding in the illuminated room, then danced back to the bed and under the warmth of the covers.

"Are you okay?" Calin asked, his voice muffled by sleep.

I reached behind me and took his arm, pulling it back so it was around me once more. "Don't let go. Please."

I shut my eyes and slowed my breathing.

It's just a dream, I repeated again, all the while focusing on the calm Calin provided. Combined, I was lulled back to sleep.

*****

For twelve hours, I slept tucked safely in Calin's arms.

When I woke a third time, it was because my body was urging me to get up. I managed to go to the bathroom and brush my teeth on my own. My energy was returning but still, the thought of using magic turned my stomach.

Calin was still sleeping when I exited my bathroom, and I didn't want to wake him after the minimal sleep he must have had because of me. Instead of crawling back under the covers and waiting, I crept across my bedroom and quietly opened the door before slipping out even more soundlessly.

Avoiding the creaks in the floor, I ran to the basement in search of what I thought would help me be alone and Calin get a good sleep.

Thankfully, Astrid's maneuvering hadn't extended that far in the house, and I found what I was looking for right away.

I hurried up the basement stairs, the creepy, I-know-it's-finished-but-still-has-a-vibe feeling following me until I passed the doorway leading into the entrance off the kitchen. Perhaps it was a delayed after effect of the trauma with Trevor, but I ran fast enough that I was a hazard to falling up the stairs, crashing the banister or wall, then stumbling to the bottom. The door closing behind me was like a shut-off valve when you turn off the water when a pipe bursts—it prevents further damage, but you still have to deal with the mess it made to begin with.

I ran all the way upstairs, no longer worried about making noise. Entering the bedroom, I found Calin lying on his back with his arms crossed under his head. His gaze tracked my movement and, when I finally met his stare, one side of his mouth lifted in a I'm-cute-so-you-should-kiss-me kind of way.

"It's nice to see you up and moving around," he said. "What are you doing? Homework for your gym class?"

"No." I rolled my eyes. "I remembered my night light was downstairs. My lamps are too bright to sleep with."

"Your night light? I never pictured you with one."

"My room..." I cleared my throat, not wanting to over-share and make Calin more concerned. "I don't want to be in the dark now, apparently, and I'm tired. You didn't have one?"