Chapter 58: CHAPTER FIFTY-EIGHT | CONNECTION

CHAPTER FIFTY-EIGHT | CONNECTION

ASPEN

I couldn’t sleep. Every time I closed my eyes, the dream dragged me back under. The faceless man stood there again, his grip tight around a dagger that glinted like it knew me.

I was crying for help, screaming until my throat burned, but no one came. No one ever did.

Behind me, a house was on fire. Flames crawled up the walls, devouring everything I couldn’t remember owning. The heat licked my skin, unbearable, suffocating. And inside the fire, I saw her. Another me. Same face. Same eyes. She stared back like she knew something I didn’t.

I woke up with a sharp gasp, my chest rising and falling too fast. My heart slammed against my ribs like it wanted out. Sweat clung to my skin as I dragged in air, grounding myself in the room. That was when I felt it. A warm weight over my hand.

I turned my head slowly and saw Ronan. He was asleep on the chair beside my bed, his fingers loosely wrapped around mine.

His head rested awkwardly against the edge of the mattress, brows drawn even in sleep. I remembered how panicked he’d looked earlier, how his voice refused to stop shaking until I calmed down.

Guilt settled heavy in my chest. I didn’t want to wake him again. He looked exhausted, like he’d been carrying more than just my fear tonight. Carefully, I eased my fingers from his grip. He stirred slightly, murmured something under his breath, but didn’t wake.

I stood up slowly, every movement cautious. The floor was cold beneath my feet as I slipped toward the door. I paused once, glancing back at him, then stepped out quietly.

The dormitory hallway was silent, stretched long and empty. I tiptoed toward the balcony, the air growing cooler with every step.

Outside, the moon hung low and bright, watching like it had secrets. I leaned against the railing, breathing deeply, letting the night settle me.

For a moment, everything was still. Then I heard it.

“Find me, sister.”

The voice slid into my ears like ice. Soft. Familiar. My blood turned cold as I spun around, searching the shadows. There was no one there. The words echoed again inside my head, louder this time.

Find me.

My legs gave out before I could think. I fell hard onto the floor, pain shooting up my spine as terror locked my lungs.

I scrambled back, heart pounding wildly, staring at the empty space in front of me.

The moonlight flickered.

And somewhere deep inside me, something answered back.

Terror wrapped itself around my throat, tight and unforgiving. My name came from behind me, whispered sharply like it had teeth.

“Aspen.”

I screamed.

Before I could scramble away, a strong hand grabbed my arm, pulling me back. I thrashed, panic exploding in my chest, every instinct screaming danger.

“It’s me.” The grip loosened instantly. “Aspen, it’s Ronan.”

His voice cut through the chaos like a blade through fog. I froze, breath shuddering as I turned toward him. Moonlight revealed his face, drawn, worried, very much alive. My knees nearly gave out again, this time from relief.

“I…” My voice broke. I swallowed hard. “Ronan.”

He pulled me gently into his arms, grounding, solid. “Easy,” he murmured. “You’re okay. I’ve got you.”

My heartbeat slowly began to obey me. I nodded against his chest, though my hands still trembled.

“What’s happening?” he asked softly, pulling back just enough to look at me. His eyes searched my face like he was afraid I might disappear if he blinked.

Instead of answering, the question slipped out of me. “What are you doing here?”

He frowned slightly. “I woke up and you weren’t there. The bed was empty.” His jaw tightened. “I knew something was wrong.”

I looked away, guilt prickling under my skin. Silence stretched between us, heavy and uneasy. My mind replayed the voice again and again, each repetition colder than the last.

“I think…” I hesitated, the words tasting strange. “I think I have a sister.”

Ronan tilted his head, studying me carefully. There was no mockery in his expression, only patience. “Aspen,” he said gently, “I already promised you. We’ll work on everything once day breaks. Together.”

“I know,” I whispered quickly. “I know that.” I pressed my fingers into my palm, steadying myself. “But this was different. I heard a voice.”

His brows pulled together. “A voice?”

“Yes.” I lifted my gaze to his. “It said something.”

“What did it say?” His tone sharpened, alert now.

“Find me, sister.”

The color drained from his face so fast it startled me. He didn’t speak immediately, and that silence scared me more than words could have.

“Are you sure?” he asked finally, quieter now.

“I’m sure,” I said. “I wasn’t dreaming. I was awake. I felt it.”

Before he could respond, the night shattered.

A deafening bang ripped through the air.

Pain exploded in front of me as Ronan jerked violently. A sharp cry tore from his throat. “Ouch!”

Time slowed to a sickening crawl. I saw his body twist, saw his shoulder bloom red before he collapsed to the ground. My scream followed him down.

“Ronan!”

I dropped beside him, hands shaking as I pressed against his shoulder without thinking. Blood soaked through my fingers, warm and horrifying.

“Stay with me,” I sobbed. “Please… please don’t close your eyes.”

“I’m fine,” he gritted out through clenched teeth, though his face was pale. “Just… a bullet.”

Just.

My heart hammered wildly as I looked around, searching the shadows for whoever had fired. The balcony suddenly felt too open and too exposed. Every corner seemed to breathe danger.

“We need help,” I said, voice breaking. “We need to get you inside.”

Ronan nodded weakly, forcing himself to sit up despite the pain. “Aspen,” he said, gripping my wrist. “Listen to me.”

I leaned in, tears blurring my vision.

“This isn’t a coincidence,” he said. “The voice and the shot? They’re connected.”

A chill crawled down my spine as the realization settled in my bones.

.