Chapter 111

The Prey

Was I dead?

I think I was dead.

There were clouds in my head—thick, suffocating. My body didn’t feel like mine. I couldn’t tell if it was moving or floating, heavy or light. The world around me was strange, distant, like I was caught between two realms.

Snow.

I remembered snow. Biting winds, the cruel embrace of frost gnawing at my skin. I’d been running. From what? From who? Him. Maybe me.

But now… warmth.

Why did I feel warm when I should’ve been frozen solid? Why did my veins hum like molten fire coursed through them?

My eyes fluttered open, but the world remained blurry, soft edges and muted colours blending into one. Something heavy pinned me down. Not crushing, but holding me—an unfamiliar weight on my limbs. I blinked, my lashes brushing against skin that felt raw, and finally, shapes started to form.

Blankets. Thick, suffocating blankets.

And hands.

Warm, calloused hands sliding up my