Alexei's POV

My heart was soaring, Novel was finally awake. I began to run toward her, my lungs filling with a joyful breath, but suddenly the air grew thick. The world began to stretch and warp between us like a distorted reflection in moving water.

“Novel!” I cried out.

My brow furrowed and my jaw tightened in a mask of confusion. I lunged, reaching my hand out until my muscles strained, but the distance only doubled. She became a fading silhouette, slipping away into the swallowing gray of the fog until she vanished completely.

I stood frozen on that spot, the phantom sensation of the earth shattering beneath my boots...