AWAKENED BONDS
The beings' laughter still echoed in my ears like the distant crash of waves against jagged rocks, fading but leaving behind a chill that seeped into my very core.
The courtyard was silent now, the shadows slithering back into the night as if they'd never been there at all.
But I knew the truth—they were watching, waiting.
Their warning hung heavy in the air: bond fully, or they would claim me.
My heart raced, not just from the fear twisting in my gut, but from the raw power that had surged through me moments ago.
The silver glow on my skin hadn't faded; if anything, it pulsed brighter, a living beacon that seemed to draw my mates even closer.
Lucien was the first to break the stillness, his hand finding mine in the darkness.
His touch was warm, steady, like the pull of the stars he was born from.
"We can't ignore this," he said softly, his voice carrying the weight of his ancient wisdom.
"Those beings—they're not bluffing. Your awakening is drawing forces we can't fully comprehend yet. "
I looked up at him, then around at the others—all seven of them.
Rowan stood tense, his fiery aura flickering like embers in the wind, ready to ignite.
Caeden's shadows coiled around him protectively, dark tendrils that seemed to reach toward me instinctively.
Lysander lingered at the edge, his vampire grace making him look almost ethereal in the moonlight, but his eyes burned with hunger.
Aeryn's presence stirred the air around us, a subtle wind that whispered of storms to come.
And the twins, Theron and Evander—their dark, corrupting energy simmered just beneath the surface, their gazes locked on me with a possessiveness that made my pulse quicken.
"I felt them," I whispered, my voice trembling. "In my dreams, in the surges. They're... part of me, aren't they? This second heritage—it's calling them."
Rowan stepped closer, his hand brushing my arm, sending a spark of heat through me that made my breath hitch.
"Whatever they are, they won't touch you," he growled, his draconic strength evident in the tension of his jaw.
"But Lucien's right. Seven mates... that's no coincidence.
The old legends speak of convergences like this—powerful bloodlines drawing protectors to balance the chaos.
If we don't complete the bonds, you'll be vulnerable.
The surges will keep coming, stronger each time, until. .."
He trailed off, but the implication hung between us like a storm cloud.
I could still feel the echo of the last surge—the way it had built inside me, demanding release, making my body ache in ways I couldn't ignore.
My thighs pressed together unconsciously, a subtle movement that didn't go unnoticed.
Lysander's lips curved into a faint, predatory smile as he noticed, his fangs glinting faintly in the moonlight.
"Her magic flares with desire," he murmured, stepping into the circle of mates around me.
His voice was smooth as silk, laced with that vampire nobility that always made my stomach flutter.
"The beings tied it to pleasure and pain.
Strengthening the bonds isn't just about power—it's about claiming her fully, body and soul.
We've seen it in the smaller moments—the way she responds to breath play, to praise, to the edge of degradation. It's all connected."
Aeryn's wind brushed against my skin, cool and teasing, lifting the hem of my dress just slightly, enough to send a shiver racing up my spine.
The fabric whispered against my thighs, and I bit my lip to stifle a soft whimper.
"You mean bond her completely?" he asked, his eyes darkening with a hunger that matched the others'.
"All of us? Tonight? The pull is strong, but we need to make sure she's ready. "
Theron's laugh was dark, rumbling from deep in his chest, his incubi nature flaring to life like a spark in dry tinder.
He moved closer, his hand grazing my lower back, sending a wave of corrupting heat through me that made my core clench.
"Why wait? Can't you feel it? Her body's already responding.
The surge earlier was just the beginning—she's glowing for us, begging to be filled. Her scent... gods, it's intoxicating."
Evander shot his twin a warning glance, his violet eyes narrowing, but he nodded in agreement, his own corruption magic simmering beneath the surface.
"He's crude, but he's right. The threat is real.
Those entities—they're not patient. And her magic.
.. it's unstable without us fully linked.
The bonds are the key to stabilizing her, to unlocking the full potential of her heritage. "
I swallowed hard, my innocence clashing with the growing heat in my core.
The kinks we'd explored so far—breath play that left me dizzy and wanting, praise that made me melt, the sharp edge of degradation that twisted pain into pleasure—had awakened something in me, something primal and powerful.
But this? All seven of them? The thought sent a shiver down my spine, a mix of fear and anticipation that made my breath come in short, shallow gasps.
"What if it's too much?" I asked, my voice small and uncertain.
"I want this—I feel the pull too, like it's burning inside me—but I'm scared.
What if completing the bonds changes me forever? What if I lose myself in it?"
Lucien's grip on my hand tightened, his celestial eyes meeting mine with unwavering intensity.
He pulled me closer, his free hand cupping my cheek, his thumb brushing away a stray tear I hadn't even realized had fallen.
"It will change you," he admitted, his voice low and reassuring.
"You'll become stronger, more attuned to us and your power.
But that's the point, little star. Fate chose us for a reason.
We'll protect you, guide you through it.
One at a time, if that's what you need. We'll make sure you're safe, cherished.
This isn't about overwhelming you—it's about unity, about weaving our strengths into yours. "
Rowan ran a hand through his hair, his fiery temper simmering just beneath the surface, but his eyes softened when they met mine.
"We need to talk logistics," he said, glancing at the group, his voice steady despite the tension.
"The wards here in the courtyard are strong, but if those things come back, we can't be caught off guard.
Lucien's chambers—ritual space, celestial protections.
That's where we do this. It's warded against intrusions, and the energy there will amplify the bonds without risking a surge in the open. "
Caeden's shadows extended from his form, testing the air around us like dark fingers probing for weaknesses.
They brushed against my skin lightly, a comforting reminder of his presence.
"Agreed," he said, his voice a low rumble that vibrated through me.
"I'll reinforce the barriers with umbral wards.
No one gets in—or out—until we're done. And if anything tries to breach, the shadows will alert us. "
Lysander tilted his head, his fangs glinting faintly as he considered the plan.
His vampire senses were heightened in the night, and I could see him scanning the darkness beyond the courtyard.
"And the order?" he asked, his voice smooth and calculated.
"We can't just rush in like animals. She needs to feel safe, cherished.
This isn't about conquest; it's about unity.
Start with Lucien—he's the anchor, the one who can stabilize the initial surge.
Then the rest of us, building the links gradually.
We'll sense when each bond snaps into place. "
Aeryn nodded, his wind magic calming the slight breeze that had picked up during our discussion, wrapping around me like a gentle embrace.
"And we'll monitor her," he added. "If the surges get too intense, we pause.
Use the kinks to ground her—breath play to control her focus, praise to keep her centered, degradation if she needs that edge to push through. Her body's responses will guide us."
Theron crossed his arms, his corruption magic flickering in his golden eyes like embers in the dark.
He leaned in closer to me, his breath hot against my ear, sending a shiver down my spine.
"And if it gets intense? Her surges could amplify everything—we've seen it before.
We need to be ready for that. Control the pace, but don't hold back if she needs more.
Her magic feeds on the connection, on the pleasure.
We'll make sure it's safe, but gods, it'll be exquisite. "
Evander's voice was quieter, more measured, his violet gaze holding mine with a depth that made my heart stutter.
"Consent first. Always," he said firmly.
"If she says starlight, we stop. No questions, no hesitation.
This is about her—her power, her awakening.
We're here to serve that, not just our desires. "
I felt a swell of warmth in my chest at their protectiveness, their care.
They weren't just mates—they were my guardians, discussing me like a precious artifact that needed safeguarding, each one contributing to the plan with their unique strengths.
It made the fear recede just a little, replaced by a growing trust. "I trust you," I said softly, looking at each of them in turn.
"All of you. If this is what it takes to awaken fully, to face whatever's coming.
.. then yes. Let's complete the bonds. But.
.. slowly. One at a time. I need to feel each of you, to let the magic build. "
Lucien's eyes softened, but there was a commanding edge beneath it that sent a thrill through me. "Then we move. Now," he said, his voice brooking no argument.
We hurried through the empty halls of the academy, my silver hair trailing behind me like a luminous comet catching the moonlight from the windows.
The building was quiet at this hour, the students asleep and oblivious to the storm brewing within me.
My heart pounded with every step, the anticipation building like the heat in my core, making my skin flush and my breaths come quicker.
The beings' threat loomed in the back of my mind, but so did the promise of unity—of becoming whole with these seven men who had claimed pieces of my soul.
As we walked, small touches kept me grounded—Rowan's hand on the small of my back, sending warmth through my dress; Caeden's shadows brushing my ankles like a secret caress; Lysander's fingers intertwining with mine for a moment, cool and reassuring.
Aeryn's wind played with my hair, lifting strands as if to whisper encouragements.
Theron and Evander flanked me on either side, their corrupting energy a low hum that made my thighs clench with need.
Lucien led the way, his celestial presence a guiding light.
By the time we reached Lucien's chambers, my body was humming with expectation.
The door sealed behind us with a pulse of celestial runes, the room vast and lit by floating orbs that mimicked stars, casting a soft, ethereal glow.
The air was thick with incense—lavender and sandalwood—and ancient magic that made my skin tingle.
A large bed dominated the center, draped in silks and velvets, surrounded by ritual circles etched into the floor.
It felt sacred, intimate, like a temple built for this moment.
I stood in the center, suddenly acutely aware of my thin nightgown.
It clung to my skin, the fabric whispering against my hardened nipples with every breath.
The mates formed a loose circle around me, their eyes dark with desire but tempered with patience.
The tension was palpable, the air charged with the promise of what was to come.
Lucien approached first, his presence like a gravitational pull that made my knees weaken. "Strip for us, little star," he commanded softly, his daddy voice low and resonant, sending a shiver straight to my core.
My hands trembled as I reached for the straps of my nightgown, my fingers fumbling slightly with nervousness.
The fabric slid down my shoulders slowly, exposing the swell of my breasts, the curve of my waist, the flare of my hips.
It pooled at my feet like liquid moonlight, leaving me bare and vulnerable under their collective gaze.
The cool air kissed my skin, hardening my nipples to tight peaks and sending goosebumps racing across my flesh.
But their eyes—hungry, reverent—burned hotter than any flame, making me feel powerful, desired, cherished.
I shifted slightly, my thighs pressing together to ease the ache building between them. My core was already slick, my body responding to their proximity, to the bonds pulling taut. "Who first?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper, breathy with anticipation.
"Me," Lucien said, his celestial eyes locking onto mine as he undressed with deliberate grace.
His coat fell away first, revealing broad shoulders and a chest etched with faint, glowing runes—like constellations mapped on his skin.
His pants followed, and I couldn't help but stare as his hardness sprang free, thick and veined, the tip already glistening with precum.
He was a masterpiece, his body glowing faintly with starlight that seemed to pulse in time with mine.
He lifted me effortlessly, his hands strong and sure as he laid me back on the bed.
The silks were cool against my heated skin, a contrast that made me gasp.
Lucien hovered over me, his eyes searching mine for any sign of hesitation.
"Look at me, little star," he murmured, his hand sliding up to my throat in light breath play—his fingers wrapping around it gently, not squeezing yet, but enough to make my breaths shallow, my head spin with that delicious dizziness.
"You're going to feel every inch of me. Tell me if it's too much. "
I nodded, my core aching for him, my body already wet and ready. "Please, Lucien... I need you."
His free hand trailed down my body, fingers teasing my nipples, pinching and twisting just enough to send jolts of pleasure-pain straight to my clit.
I arched into his touch, whimpering as he lowered his head to capture one peak in his mouth, sucking hard while his tongue flicked the sensitive bud.
The sensation was electric, my hips bucking up instinctively, seeking friction.
He chuckled darkly against my skin, the vibration making me moan. "Patience, baby girl. Daddy's going to take his time with you."
His hand moved lower, fingers dipping between my thighs to find me soaked. He circled my clit slowly, teasing, building the pressure until I was writhing beneath him. "So wet for me already," he praised, his voice low and commanding. "Such a good girl, letting us see you like this."
Two fingers slid inside me, curling to hit that spot that made stars explode behind my eyes.
I cried out, my hands fisting the sheets as he pumped them in and out, his thumb pressing on my clit in rhythm.
The breath play intensified—his grip on my throat tightening just a fraction, restricting my air enough to heighten every sensation, making the pleasure sharper, more intense.
"Lucien—please—I need more," I begged, my voice breathless.
He withdrew his fingers, bringing them to his lips to taste me, his eyes never leaving mine. "You taste like stardust," he growled. Then he positioned himself at my entrance, the thick head of his cock rubbing against my slick folds, teasing me until I was sobbing with need.
He pushed in slowly, inch by inch, stretching me, filling me completely.
The sensation was overwhelming, his celestial magic weaving through me like threads of starlight, making every thrust feel like a cosmic event.
He bottomed out, pausing to let me adjust, his hand still at my throat, controlling my breaths.
"You're taking me so well," he praised, his hips starting to move in a deep, steady rhythm. Each thrust hit that perfect spot, building the pressure inside me. His free hand roamed my body, pinching my nipples, slapping my thigh lightly to send stinging pleasure through me.
The pace quickened, his thrusts becoming harder, more demanding. The breath play made my head spin, the lack of air amplifying the sensations until I was teetering on the edge. "Come for Daddy," he commanded, his voice rough with desire.
I shattered, my walls clenching around him as pleasure exploded through me. The bond snapped into place, his emotions flooding mine: love, protection, eternal devotion. His gift surged—celestial awareness, glimpses of fate during climax. I saw threads connecting us all, unbreakable.
He followed moments later, spilling inside me with a groan, his body shuddering against mine. "Mine," he whispered, kissing my forehead tenderly as he pulled out, leaving me feeling empty but fulfilled.
I lay there panting, my body still trembling from the aftershocks, but the magic inside me stirred again, demanding more. The bonds were strengthening, but they weren't complete yet. Rowan was next, his eyes burning with draconic hunger as he approached the bed.
"My turn, princess," he growled, his voice rough with need. He undressed quickly, his body a sculpted masterpiece of muscle and heat, his cock hard and throbbing. He flipped me onto all fours with ease, his hands gripping my hips possessively. "I'm going to make you burn for me."
His fingers teased my entrance first, dipping in to feel how wet I was, how ready. "So slick from Lucien," he murmured, a hint of jealousy in his tone that made me shiver. "But now it's my fire inside you."
He rubbed the head of his cock against my folds, teasing me until I was pushing back against him, begging. "Please, Rowan—fuck me."
He thrust in hard, filling me in one powerful stroke that made me cry out. The heat from his body seeped into mine, amplifying every sensation, making my skin flush with warmth. His thrusts were rough, possessive, his hands leaving red marks on my hips as he pulled me back onto him.
"That's it," he encouraged, his voice a low growl. "Take my cock, princess. Let me feel you clench around me like the good little slut you are."
The degradation mixed with praise sent me spiraling, my body responding with a fresh gush of wetness. One hand slid around to circle my clit, his fingers rough and insistent. The other slapped my ass, the sting twisting into pleasure that made me moan louder.
"Fuck, you're tight," he groaned, his pace relentless. "Burn for me, Lani. Come on my cock."
The bond ignited as I came, screaming his name, his fierce loyalty and passion pouring into me. His gift: fireproof skin, temporary voice-command when aroused. He roared his release, his heat flooding me, his body collapsing over mine as he kissed my back.
"Perfect," he whispered, pulling out slowly.
Caeden was next, his shadows slithering forward like living entities.
"Time for the darkness, sweet thing," he whispered, his voice like velvet night.
He positioned me on my back, his shadows coiling around my wrists and ankles, spreading me open wide.
They tightened just enough to hold me, the cool tendrils teasing my skin.
His cock teased my entrance, but first, he leaned down to kiss me deeply, his tongue exploring my mouth as his shadows began their work.
They cut off light gradually, plunging me into sensory deprivation that made every touch feel amplified.
I could feel his breath on my neck, his fingers tracing patterns on my inner thighs, but I couldn't see, couldn't anticipate.
"Feel only me," he commanded, thrusting into me slowly, inch by inch. The shadows teased my nipples, pinching and pulling, while another tendril circled my clit, vibrating faintly with his magic.
I writhed, the lack of sight making the pleasure sharper, more intense. "Caeden—please—harder."
He obliged, his thrusts deep and controlled, building the pressure until I was begging. The bond snapped amid my climax, his gift allowing me to phase through shadows, hide, or teleport short distances.
Lysander moved with predatory grace, his fangs grazing my neck as he settled between my legs. "My beautiful doll," he praised, his cool hands contrasting the heat from Rowan. He entered me with a deep thrust, his pace building as his mouth found my breast, sucking hard.
His bite came suddenly, his fangs piercing my skin just above my collarbone amid blood play. The pull was ecstatic, linking our souls as he drank. "Taste eternal," he murmured, his hips slamming into mine.
The bond snapped, his gift: blood control during arousal, lie detection.
Aeryn lifted me with his wind magic, suspending me midair. "Fly for me," he commanded, his invisible touches stroking me everywhere—teasing my nipples, circling my clit, even brushing my ass. He entered me, his thrusts deep as the wind held me in place, amplifying every movement.
Gift: silent movement, enhanced jumps, air sensing.
Theron and Evander approached last, their hybrid magic dark and intoxicating.
"Our turn, little star," Theron growled, positioning me on my hands and knees.
Evander knelt in front, his knife glinting.
Theron entered my core from behind, his corruption making every thrust feel like sin, amplifying my need until I was begging.
Evander traced the knife along my back in light play, the cool blade teasing without cutting. "Open wide," he murmured, guiding his cock to my mouth. I took him in, sucking as Theron thrust deeper.
They moved in sync, Theron's hands on my hips, Evander's in my hair. "Such a good little slut," Theron degraded, his voice rough. "Taking us both."
Evander pulled out, positioning himself beneath me for triple penetration—Theron in my core, Evander in my ass, my mouth free to cry out. The stretch was intense, pleasure-pain making me sob. They thrust in unison, corruption and knife play pushing me over the edge multiple times.
The bonds snapped, their gifts flowing: absorbing dark magic, reflecting fear/pleasure; dream entry, inducing sleep, stealing sensation.
I lay there, tangled in a web of limbs and silken sheets, my body a vessel of exhaustion and euphoria.
The air in Lucien's chambers was thick with the scent of sweat, incense, and the faint metallic tang of magic—our magic, now intertwined like the roots of an ancient tree.
My silver hair spilled across the pillows, glowing faintly still, as if the surges hadn't fully subsided.
Every muscle ached, a delicious soreness that reminded me of every thrust, every bite, every whispered command.
My thighs trembled with aftershocks, my core pulsing with the echo of their releases inside me.
I felt full—physically, emotionally, magically—like I'd been remade in the fires of our bonds.
The room was quiet now, save for the soft breaths of my mates around me.
Seven of them. Seven souls linked to mine through pleasure and power.
The telepathic threads hummed in my mind, a chorus of emotions: satisfaction from Rowan, protective warmth from Caeden, eternal devotion from Lysander, a gentle breeze of calm from Aeryn, ancient wisdom from Lucien, and the dark, possessive hunger from Theron and Evander.
It was overwhelming, this new intimacy—like hearing their hearts beat in sync with mine.
I shifted slightly, wincing at the tenderness between my legs.
A soft whimper escaped my lips before I could stop it, and immediately, they stirred.
Lucien's arm tightened around my waist from where he lay behind me, his chest pressed to my back.
"Easy, little star," he murmured, his voice a soothing rumble that vibrated through me.
His hand slid up to my throat—not in play this time, but in a gentle hold, his thumb stroking the pulse point there.
It was grounding, a reminder of the breath play we'd shared earlier, but now it was comfort, not control. "How are you feeling?"
"Sore," I admitted, my voice hoarse from all the cries and pleas I'd uttered through the night. "But... good. Full. Like everything's finally... right."
Rowan, sprawled on my other side, propped himself up on one elbow, his fiery eyes softening as he looked down at me.
His hand traced lazy patterns on my hip, the heat from his touch seeping into my skin like a warm balm.
"You were incredible," he said, his voice rough with lingering desire but laced with awe.
"The way you took us all... gods, Lani, you're our flame now. Unbreakable."
Praise. It washed over me like a wave, making my chest swell and my eyes prick with tears.
I reached out, my fingers intertwining with his, feeling the bond pulse between us—his gift of fireproof skin already making me feel invincible.
"I couldn't have done it without you," I whispered. "All of you."
Caeden's shadows stirred from the foot of the bed, coiling gently around my ankles like soft restraints, not binding but caressing.
He sat up, his dark eyes scanning my body for any sign of discomfort.
"Let me check you," he said softly, his voice a low growl that sent a shiver through me.
His shadows extended, cool and silky, brushing over the red marks on my hips from Rowan's grip, the faint bruises from Theron's hands, the tiny scars from Evander's knife play—light trails that hadn't broken skin but left tingling reminders.
I gasped as the shadows soothed the aches, like a cold compress infused with magic. "That feels... amazing," I breathed, my body relaxing under the touch. Caeden leaned down, pressing a kiss to my inner thigh, right over a spot where Aeryn's wind had left a faint red mark from earlier teasing.
"You're perfect," he murmured against my skin, his breath hot. "No real damage—just the kind we like." His shadows lingered, massaging deeper, easing the soreness in my core without pushing into arousal. It was aftercare at its most intimate, his umbral magic healing what the night had wrought.
Lysander moved with his usual grace, slipping in beside Rowan.
His cool fingers traced the bite mark on my neck—his own claim, where he'd drawn blood during our bonding.
"You taste even sweeter now," he said, his voice a silky purr.
He leaned in, his tongue flicking out to lap at the healed wound, sending a spark of pleasure-pain through me.
But it wasn't to arouse—it was to soothe, his vampire saliva carrying a natural healing agent that numbed any lingering sting.
I whimpered softly, arching into his touch. "Lysander..."
"Shh, my doll," he whispered, pressing a kiss to the spot.
"Let me take care of you." His hand moved lower, gently massaging my breast where he'd pinched earlier, his touch feather-light now.
The praise came naturally from him: "You were so brave, taking my bite like that. Our eternal little treasure."
Aeryn's wind joined the symphony, a gentle breeze stirring the air around us, cooling my flushed skin and lifting stray strands of my silver hair.
He knelt at my side, his hands cupping my face as he pressed a soft kiss to my forehead.
"You flew so high for us," he murmured, his voice like a whisper on the wind.
His fingers trailed down my arms, massaging the muscles that had tensed during our airborne bonding.
The wind teased lower, brushing between my thighs without invading—just a cooling caress that eased the residual heat.
"I felt like I was soaring," I admitted, my eyes fluttering closed as his magic worked its way over me. "Your gift... I can feel the air now, like it's alive."
He smiled, his thumb brushing my lower lip. "Good girl. Rest now. Let the wind carry away the ache."
Theron and Evander were last to approach, their dark energy a contrast to the others'—corrupting, intense, but now tempered with tenderness.
Theron slid in behind Lucien, his large hand splaying across my stomach, his corruption magic seeping in like a warm oil, easing the deeper soreness from our triple penetration.
"You took us so well, little slut," he growled softly, but the degradation was laced with affection, a reminder of our play without the edge.
His fingers massaged gently, working out knots I hadn't even realized were there.
Evander knelt at the edge of the bed, his knife nowhere in sight now.
Instead, he held a soft cloth dampened with warm water, infused with healing herbs.
"Let me clean you, little songbird," he said, his violet eyes soft.
He parted my thighs gently, the cloth brushing against my sensitive folds, wiping away the evidence of our night with care.
The touch was intimate, almost reverent, and I whimpered at the tenderness.
"You're ours now," Theron murmured, his hand joining Evander's in soothing me. "Fully. And we'll always take care of what's ours."
The telepathic links hummed louder now, their voices in my mind a chorus of comfort:
You're safe, little star. Lucien's thought, warm and encompassing.
Rest, princess. We've got you. Rowan's fierce protection.
Feel the darkness hold you. Caeden's shadows wrapping tighter, like a blanket.
Eternal, my doll. Lysander's cool assurance.
Let the wind carry you to sleep. Aeryn's gentle breeze.
Our perfect little thing. Theron's dark affection.
Dream with us. Evander's promise.
Tears slipped down my cheeks—not from pain, but from the overwhelming love flooding through the bonds. "I feel all of you," I whispered, my voice breaking. "In my heart, in my mind. It's... beautiful."
Lucien pulled me closer, his body curling around mine as the others arranged themselves around us—some at my sides, others at my feet, all touching me in some way.
Rowan's head rested on my stomach, his breath warm.
Caeden's shadows formed a soft cocoon. Lysander's hand intertwined with mine.
Aeryn's wind kept the air fresh and cool.
Theron and Evander flanked the group, their corruption now a protective shield.
"Sleep now," Lucien commanded gently, his hand still at my throat in a light hold—comforting, not controlling. "We'll watch over you."
I nodded, my eyelids heavy. The intense aftercare wrapped around me like a second skin, healing not just my body but my soul. The bonds were complete, the magic stabilized—for now. But as sleep claimed me, I felt the beings' presence lingering at the edges of my dreams.
The peril wasn't over. But with my seven mates, I was ready.