Novel's POV

“Please...”

The word echoed in the void. “Please, I didn’t mean to! He forced me!”

The voice sounded exactly like Emilia’s. Confusion surged through me as I ran, my feet hitting a floor I couldn't see, chasing the sound of her desperation. I was alone in a world of absolute shadow. I didn't know how I had arrived here; I thought I was asleep. Was this just another nightmare, or something worse?

“Novel!”

Now it was Alexei’s voice, sharp and urgent.

“Novel, wake up!”

The darkness around me dissolved like ink in water. When I jolted awake, Alexei was leaning over me, his hands gripping my shoulders as...