Cob

hroat. I fumbled for the lamp switch on the nightsta

, and the scream tore from

re ever

carpet, draped over the armchair in the corner. Their scales glittered in the

e bed, stumbling backward until my back hit the wall. I

heavy wood with my fists. "Genesis, you

pounded again, my knuckles screaming in prot

e of the door. "Alya, you're disturbing th

her.

ce cracking with hysteria. "You si

r is a blockage of energy. You must confront it to release it. Embrace th

ymore, only desperate, animal sounds of ter

of hope, sharp and painful, pierced through my panic. He

s voice was heavy wit

against the door. "It's Genesis! She filled my

o help. Her aura is so clouded by grief and anger. I thought

I shrieked. "I'm terrifie

soft, sinister whisper of scales on carpet. I held my breath, wa

old and distant, filtered thro

ows what's

. The air left my

ered, my voice

conviction. "If she says this will help you,

sed t

terrifying silence of

d Genesis. I heard their foot

me. He was leav

my legs giving out, and curled into a tight ball on the floor. I was sobbing, but n

rds me. It coiled itself around my leg, its body thick and mus

harp, piercing

tten me. Two small puncture wou

zzy. My last coherent thought was of Jason. Of the man who h

nced me to death i

wing of the house. My head was pounding

the bed, scrolling through his p

l. "The doctor said it was a non-venomou

throat raw. "You lef

"Don't be dramatic, Alya. I knew they weren't ven

nd something. Genesis is going to be a permanent part of my life. Of our live

thing new forming in my chest. It wasn't love. It wa

t. But first, I