The first rumble of thunder sent a shiver down her spine. The second sent her heart racing. The flash of lightning that struck a few moments later had Mila out of her bed, unable to breathe. This was how it had happened. Except there were no screams of agony this time. Just her heavy breathing. Not knowing what else to do, Mila padded down the hall to the closed door of Aiden's room. Without knocking, she stumbled in and fell to her knees.

"Mila?" Aiden got up from his desk and swooped down to her side. A particularly loud clap of thunder propelled her into his arms. After only a moment's hesitation, he wrapped them around her. A few whimpers were the only sound that escaped her trembling lips. Mila slowly lifted her head to look up at Aiden, her teeth chattering. Her wide eyes and shrunken pupils alarmed Aiden. The fear in her eyes scared Aiden as she clung to him tighter.

Yells of pain and terror echoed all around the palace, there was nowhere to run, or to hide. Round every corner there was danger. A flash of light lit the sinister corridors and another horrific scream rattled through her body. She fell to her knees as there were more flashes, more screams, and the new sound of malicious laughter ringing through her ears. She tried to crawl into a corner, but it was too late, they had found her. A gleaming white smile was all she could see in the cold darkness followed by another flash as searing pain gripped her entire body. She slumped face down on the ground, a smoking, bloody mess.

Mila choked out a cry and lay still. She could feel someone's rapid heartbeat against her cheek. A reassuring hand stroked her hair, and a deep gentle voice called out to her from the darkness. Mila gave in to the warm body that had curled itself around her. Somehow she knew she was safe. Aiden hugged Mila firmly as she began to settle down. He didn't know what was she going through, but he didn't want her to go through it alone. He listened to Mila's breathing which was now steady and quiet. Aiden sat with her, feeling her warm timid body quivering against his. Her smooth, dark hair tickled his chin. Mila shifted slightly, and Aiden could feel her chest rising and falling against him. Aiden realised he had been holding his breath and unwrapped his arms from around Mila. She seemed to have fallen asleep, and the storm had passed. Aiden carried Mila over to his bed. While pulling up the covers around her, he wondered if he had done the right thing. Should he have called someone? He wasn't used to being close and gentle with anyone, but he had been there for Mila. With one last glance at her, Aiden left the room, feeling a wet patch of tears slide down his chest.