Blanket fear settles over me, seeping into the marrow of my bones as I begin to hyperventilate. Was it all a dream again? Nike had never come back. Zeus had never come back. What if they hadn't been real this entire time? What if it was all in my imagination and out of my loneliness, I had conjured Robichaux and Rozenn? The truth was, I did not love Robi. The scarred beast had taken care of me and for that, I would always be affectionate with him, but I was happy with the gift he had given me. Now I have to wonder if I am hallucinating as I stare into the forest canopy, eyes drawing down and weaving between the roughened trunks, my lungs spasming from lack of oxygen.

"ROZENN!" Once more I screamed but it came out as a gasping, breathless word, a cry. Almost I collapse, legs shaking beneath me, certain my heart is about to burst. It certainly feels that way with the pain spider webbing across my chest and into my belly. A churning rises in me yet it settles almost instantly when I spy movement. Gray. White. Flashes. Then she appears, my beautiful Rozenn, so precious and perfect.

The girl comes to a halt but I am already lunging to meet her, thrusting my head into her own greeting and breathing deep. Comforting my soul that she is sound and alive. "Rozenn, oh Roze," I gasp as I invade her space. Almost immediately I begin to lick her neck, grooming her, because it relaxes me. "Why didn't you tell me? I would have came with you. I don't want you to go alone, Rozenn. Nike went alone and he is gone and Zeus is gone and I can't have you go. Okay??? Okay?!" The words grow more labored as I speak them, unshed tears burning in my steel gray eyes as I pull back to look at her, fear naked on my face. The only one who I even allowed around my daughter was Robichaux because I knew he would protect her with his life. Either that or risk his own from my teeth.