Ronan opened his eyes.
Pain followed soon after. He felt heavy pressure in his chest.
He blinked. Dim moonlight shone from the window. He was in his room.
Aura's voice reached him before he could process the rest.
"Ronan."
He turned his head.
Aura crouched beside the bed, one hand gripping his wrist. Her fingers pressed against his pulse.
The moment his eyes focused on her, she leaned forward.
"Are you okay?"
Ronan stared at the ceiling again.
His mind caught up in pieces. The ritual. The memories. Sophia. The original Ronan's mother. The faceless entity.
The answer formed slowly.
"I'm alive," he said, a little sarcastic.
Aura's expression hardened into a glare.
"You're an idiot."
He ignored the insult.
His body felt different. Heavier. He tried sitting up, but his body refused.. Aura caught his shoulder and steadied him without asking.
