Chapter 64 - Week's Dreams

Javid.

Monday.

I returned to Joyce's place the night we fled from the covenstead, narrowly escaping the shadowy figure that pursued us. David and I had an epic fight, nearly coming to blows before Fergus and Sam stepped in between us. held him responsible for Violet's dire condition, and all he managed to utter were feeble apologies. When we got home and I told Paul what had happened, Paul unleashed his fury on David as well, while Celine indulged in one libation after another, savoring the spectacle unfolding before her eyes.

I stared at Violet's motionless form, her face serene like she was merely sleeping. But she wasn’t. It had been a little more than a week, and every passing day twisted my insides a little more. That morning I noticed a faint twitch in her fingers. It was the first sign of movement in days. I leaned closer, my heart racing. A soft cry escaped her lips, barely more than a whisper. It caught me off guard, and for a moment, hope flared inside me.

Her mouth moved as if trying to form words, but nothing intelligible came out. It was like watching a ghost whisper secrets only it could hear. I reached out and gently took her hand, hoping the connection would pull her back to me. But she remained lost in whatever nightmare held her captive.

***

Tuesday.

I barely slept. Every sound in the house made me jump, thinking it was Violet waking up. When I looked at her this morning, her eyes were open. They stared blankly at the ceiling, unseeing and unsettling. It was worse than her being unconscious. The emptiness in her gaze was a void, a reminder of how much we could lose.

Mildred came by later in the day. Her face was etched with concern as she examined Violet. “Her body’s still getting sustenance from her magic,” she explained. “But the longer she stays like this, the more damage it could do to her psyche.”

Her words were a punch to the gut. Everything I did, every breath I took, seemed meaningless if Violet was slipping away. I rubbed my temples, trying to chase away the gnawing sense of helplessness. Mildred's presence made me feel both reassured and more anxious. I couldn’t shake the image of Violet’s vacant eyes.

***

Wednesday.

The house was too quiet. Each tick of the clock was a reminder of time slipping away. I sat by Violet’s side, reading aloud from her favorite books. Maybe, just maybe, my voice could reach into her abyss and pull her out.

I glared at David as he shifted uncomfortably in the doorway. "Really? That's it?" I scoffed, crossing my arms. "You're just 'checking in' after everything that's happened?"

David flinched at my tone, but I wasn't about to let him off easy. "Violet's been through hell, and you're acting like this is just some casual visit." I stepped closer, my jaw clenched. "Where were you when she needed you, huh? Too busy with your pack duties to care about your friend?"

"It's not like that," David protested weakly, but I cut him off with a sharp laugh.

"Isn't it though?" I shook my head in disgust. "You claim to care about her, but when push comes to shove, you're nowhere to be found."

David's eyes flashed with anger, and for a moment, I thought he might actually stand up for himself. But instead, he just looked away again, his shoulders slumping in defeat.

"I'm sorry," he mumbled, shoving his hands in his pockets. "I know I should have been there for her. For both of you."

I snorted, not buying his apology for a second. "Yeah, well, sorry doesn't cut it." I jerked my chin towards the door. "If you're not here to actually help, then maybe you should just leave."

David hesitated, looking like he wanted to say something else, but I just glared at him until he finally turned and walked away. I watched him go, feeling a mix of satisfaction and disappointment. Part of me had hoped he would fight harder, prove that he really did care. But in the end, he was just like everyone else - too caught up in his own problems to be there when it mattered most.

In the end, he didn’t respond, just gave a slight nod and left. His visits were becoming a joke, a pitiful attempt to assuage his guilt. Maybe he didn’t care as much as I did. Who knew? All I knew was that no amount of rage he directed at himself could even touch the self-disgust that coiled in my stomach like a cat with razor sharp claws.

***

Thursday.

Violet's condition seemed unchanged. I held my breath every time I entered the room, bracing myself for some sign, any sign, of improvement. Mildred stopped by again, bringing herbal remedies that filled the room with earthy scents. “These might help,” she said optimistically, but her eyes told a different story.

I paced the floor, my frustration mounting. It wasn’t just David I was angry at—it was myself. I should’ve been able to protect her, to keep her safe. Watching her suffer was a constant reminder of my failures. I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was losing her a little more each day.

***

Friday.

I woke up to Violet's screams. My heart raced as I sat up in bed beside her, noting how her brown eyes were wide and scared.

"Violet!" I tried to hold her, but she pulled away, looking confused and terrified.

Her eyes met mine, filled with panic. "Javid?" Her voice sounded rough, like she'd been screaming for hours.

I reached out to her, trying to calm her down. "Yeah, it's me. You're okay. You're safe."

She shook her head, her hands trembling. "It was awful… just awful. There was so much blood."

I sat down on the edge of the bed, not wanting to scare her more by bringing what she saw back to the front of her mind. There would be time enough for that in the morning. "It was just a nightmare, Violet. We are not at the covenstead. We are at Joyce's house… in your room."

Tears streamed down her face as she nodded slowly. "Yes… but it felt so real."

I hesitated for a moment before putting my arm around her shoulders. "I know. Nightmares can be like that. But you're awake now. You're safe."

She leaned into me, her body shaking with sobs. "Don't leave me, Javid. Please."

I held her close, feeling her tears soak through my shirt. "I'm not going anywhere. I promise. I'll stay right here with you."

Tears streamed down her face as she clung to me, her body trembling. It was like she was trying to shake off the remnants of the nightmare that had held her captive. All I could do was hold her. My own tears mixing with hers.

We sat like that for a while, me holding her as we both cried. Eventually, her sobs quieted, and her breathing evened out. She'd fallen asleep in my arms.

I gently laid her back down on the bed, pulling the covers over her. I brushed a strand of hair from her face, my heart aching for her. She looked so peaceful now, but I knew the nightmares would be back. They always came back.