Page 141 of Marked By His Hunger
No footsteps.
No lingering presence.
Just a swirl of emerald smoke that vanished as quickly as it appeared.
“Okay—nope. Not normal. Still not used to that,” I muttered.
But I didn’t have time to process it.
Because suddenly—everything was loud.
“Serena!”
The room exploded with voices.
Emery rushed in first, practically launching herself toward my bed.
“Oh my God, you scared the hell out of us!”
“You look awful,” Sapphire said bluntly, crossing her arms as she took me in from head to toe.
“Are you okay?” Ursula asked, already at my side, her hand hovering like she wasn’t sure if she should touch me or not.
My roommates flooded in around me.
Warm.
Loud.
Concerned.
And just like that—the pressure in my chest loosened.
Not gone.
But… easier.
“I’m fine,” I said automatically.
Three sets of eyes narrowed at me.
“Liar,” Sapphire said immediately.
“Yeah, no,” Emery added. “You don’t get dragged into the infirmary after fighting Daemon sludge Monsters—I don’t even know what those things were—and then say ‘I’m fine.’ That’s illegal.”
“I second that,” Ursula said gently.
I let out a breath.
“Okay. Well, I’m not dead,” I corrected.
“Low bar,” Sapphire muttered.
Emery grabbed my hand. “We heard what happened. Is it true? Did the Draugr really?—”
She stopped herself, like even saying it out loud might summon something.
“Did he really save you?” Ursula finished quietly.
