𝒜𝓇𝒾𝓈𝑒, 𝓂𝓎 𝒹𝑒𝓁𝒾𝒸𝒶𝓉𝑒 𝓈𝓊𝓂𝓂𝑒𝓇 𝒷𝒾𝓇𝒹. 𝒲𝒶𝓀𝑒 𝒻𝓇𝑜𝓂 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑒 𝓈𝓁𝓊𝓂𝒷𝑒𝓇. 𝒲𝒶𝓀𝑒 𝓊𝓅, 𝐼 𝓅𝓇𝒶𝓎 𝓎𝑜𝓊. 𝒩𝑜𝓌.

The whirlwind of the onyx slumber shattered. Vetyn gasped and choked to a hasty rouse, a lurid and pallid flare of light stinging her sight.

With a squint and bow, she spurned the grotesque assault with a hiss.

The air was redolent with bleach and lavender— _not a thrilling combination — _besieging_ _all senses dwelling within. Vetyn cleared her throat and blinked away the tears prickling her ashen chestnut eyes, the events from the dusk former snaking through her memory.

Her stomach sank.

Bahn was dead.

“Vey, dear?”

Her head snapped upward, her body teetering forward on the seat.

Blinking away the glare, a golden shrouded figure was gracefully perched on a pearl shaded chair behind a glass barrier, arms delicately folded with their lap. The flare dissolved to a single mortal, the chamber melting to a transparent sight.

Comprehension lobbed her, eyes flaring. No. No it cannot—

“Mother.”

“Hi, love.” Claudia graced a smile, a lilt of woe threading its fingers upon the hollow crest of her jowls. “Are you well?”

“Well?” She rasped and attempted to march forward, but was yanked back with valourous might. A sharp groan escaped her, tearing the tender palisade in her throat. Vetyn espied their wrists, black chains tethered heinously upon them.

What had begotten her within the last hour?

“What’s going on.” Vetyn demanded, gritting her teeth.

Claudia’s smile bloomed, not quite meeting her own eyes. “I have saved you.” She whispered.

“Saved me?” She was bemused. “How?”

(Tbc)