"Salviana?"
Alaric's voice was sharp with concern as he rushed into the room. He had been in his office downstairs, but the erratic rhythm of her heartbeat had summoned him instantly.
He reached her side in moments, taking her trembling form into his arms. "What's wrong, my fiery one?" he asked, his voice soft but firm, his hand stroking her hair as she clung to him.
"I… I saw them," she whispered, her voice shaky.
"Who?" Alaric asked, his tone darkening.
"Jolene and Christiana," she said, her breathing uneven. "In my dream… they were laughing at me. Watching me die… like they wanted it to happen."
Alaric stiffened, his arms tightening around her protectively. "It was just a nightmare," he assured her, though his jaw clenched at the thought of his cousins' possible involvement.
