Split consciousness.
Abrial was experiencing a split consciousness.
Half of her was burning in white-hot flames, bloody tears streaming from her eyes. The other half of her was screaming on the cold black floor of the imperial dining hall, clawing at the skin of her own arms until it was raw and bloodied. Or, was she crying tears of blood in the dining hall? Was she screaming in the dream? Which was real?
Her head felt like it was being torn in two! If this went on any longer, it felt like her spirit was going to rip apart in the middle and tear itself to pieces!
