I saw Cassian’s fingers—long, cold, and insistent—glide down my back as though he had just touched me, as if his hands were the ones guiding my body.

I wasn’t alone.

He was inside me.

Mira stepped back, her gaze flicking between me and the empty space in the room.

She looked confused.

And then, with a slow realization dawning on her face, the horror in her voice broke through.

“Lena...” she whispered, her hand hovering, uncertain. “Who are you talking to?”

“He’s real.”

The words were barely a whisper, but I could hear the truth behind them.

“I’ve always been real, Lena. And I always will be.”

I didn’t know what to say.

I didn’t know how to explain what was happening.

But I couldn’t deny it anymore.

Cassian wasn’t a delusion.

He was real.

7

LENA

“Lena...” Mira said again, this time more softly, her voice threaded with concern. “You don’t have to hide from me. If something’s wrong, you need to tell me. I can help.”

I finally turned to face her, eyes wide, searching her face for any sign that she could understand.

But how could she?

How could anyone understand what I was going through?

“I—”

My breath caught in my throat.

The words didn’t come.

I wanted to explain.

I wanted to tell her the truth, but I couldn't.

Was this really happening?

Cassian’s cold breath ghosted across the back of my neck, and I shuddered violently.

“Lena, you're scaring me.”

I glanced at Mira, but the words stuck in my throat.

The truth was, I wasn’t even sure what was real anymore.

Was this just me, losing my mind?

Or was it something else entirely?

Was Cassian not a hallucination, but something worse?

Mira’s hand landed gently on my shoulder, and I flinched.

I couldn’t help it.

I pulled away, a rush of panic gripping my chest.

“I’m sorry... I just... I can’t...”

She looked hurt, and the look on her face made my chest tighten, but I couldn’t stop myself.

I couldn’t let her get too close.

Not while he was here.

“Lena, listen to me,” she said, her voice firm now. “I don’t know what’s happening to you, but you can’t keep this to yourself. You need to see Dr. Halverson again. Something isn’t right.”

“I... I know,” I whispered, but even as I said it, the voice inside my head was louder, closer.

“I’ve already seen everything, Lena. You don’t need anyone else. I’m the only one who understands you.”

Cassian.

I flinched again, my hand shooting up to clutch my head.

I wanted to scream, to shout at him, but it felt pointless.

“Do you think Mira can help you, Lena? You’re mine, and nothing will change that.”

“Lena?”

I blinked and looked at Mira, her face full of confusion and concern.

“Did you—” I started, but I stopped.

Did she hear it?

Did she hear him?

No.

Don’t tell her.

She won’t understand.

The voice in my mind grew louder, more insistent.

I swallowed, blinking rapidly to clear the haze in my mind.

“I—I’m sorry, Mira. I just need to lie down.”

Mira stepped back, hesitant.

She didn't believe me, but she didn't push.

“Alright,” she said quietly. “But I’m coming back tomorrow. We’ll get through this together, okay?”

I nodded, though inside I knew nothing was going to help.

Not anymore.

She left, and I sat down on my bed, my hands shaking uncontrollably.

I tried to breathe, to focus.

But all I could feel was him.

His touch, his presence, lingering just beneath my skin.

8

MIRA

When I left Lena’s apartment, the knot in my stomach only grew tighter.

She wasn’t fine.

She wasn’t even close to fine.

And I could see it in her eyes—something was wrong.

I couldn't explain it, but I knew that whatever was happening to her, it wasn’t just some delusion or temporary breakdown.

I had seen enough of her in the past to know this wasn’t like her.

The person standing in front of me wasn’t the Lena I’d known for years.

Something else was taking over.

As I walked down the hall, my phone buzzed in my pocket.

I pulled it out, distracted, but when I saw the message, my heart stopped in my chest.