I yawn and stretch with Estrella's starlight shining through the window.
Morning already?
I close my eyes, recounting what happened last night. My heart sinks a little when I open them again.
The date with Gloria at the Soulmate festival. It didn’t work out.
I sigh. At least she'll find someone worth her time. Maybe Grandmother was right about me not finding love.
Kill the dreamscreecher!
The thought is loud, as if someone’s yelling at me. I put a hand on my aching head, wincing and closing my eyes.
Kill it!
The dreamscreecher? What dreamscreecher?
I stand up from my bed, my feet thudding on pale wooden floors, and look out the oval window. The summer forest already has spots of yellow and orange.
I raise a brow. Has autumn come already? But it's only the beginning of summer!
“Amias! You're up!”
I turn over my shoulder to Grandmother standing at the door. I force a smile despite my confusion. It's also strange that she's greeting me in my bedroom. “Yeah. I am.”
“Good!” she chuckles. “Do you feel alright?”
“I have a headache, but I'm fine otherwise.”
Kill the dreamscreecher!
I wince at the voice in my head, and the throbbing pain that comes with it. What's going on? Go away!
Grandmother sets a hand on my shoulder. “I'm so sorry about that, Valley Lily.” She shakes her head. “I have to tell you something…”
I raise my brows. Did someone die? “What?”
“Sit down, Amias.” She sits on my bed and pats beside me.
My muscles tense as I plop next to her. “What is it?”
She sighs. “Where should I even begin?”
I scan her body as if it would give me a clue. Is Mother okay? Is Erasmus? Is Father? “Where's everyone else?”
Kill the dreamscreecher!
I wince once again at the voice. Shut up!
“They are nearby, healthy and alive.” Grandmother nods. “They're okay.”
I slowly meet her eyes again with a heavy breath. “Then… what's the matter?”
She draws in a sharp breath. “How much do you remember?”
My heart skips a beat. What does that mean? Am I supposed to forget? “I went on a date last night…” I normally wouldn't have just admitted that, but this case seems to call for it. “I was at the soulmate celebration for Erasmus.”
She slowly nods. “Okay. So it worked.”
