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The hard crook of a beak lay at one end of the clump, joined by two lifeless eyes.
Thicket stumbled back, body recoiling into itself.
It was a raven… A dead raven.
Her foot bumped into something stiff. She jumped, hands tucked close to her heart. Another raven. Thicket slowly spun, breathing hitching as the fog parted, revealing dozens upon dozens of limp, lifeless ravens. She slapped a hand over her mouth. Bile seared her throat and her stomach lurched, threatening to empty itself.
A rustle of movement made every hair stand on end. She stood frozen, watching as one of the ravens jerked to life. One by one, the remaining corpses climbed onto their feet and trained their black eyes on her.
Thicket bolted. Her footsteps pounded in her ears. Or maybe it was her heart.
The ravens cawed, wings hitting the air. She ran faster. Trees blurred by. Flashes of black dived for her. She shielded her face as they nipped at her ears and cheeks, tearing her skin.
She kept running, pumping her legs faster and faster.
Tall grass hit her legs. She slowed to a stop, hesitating for a second, but the ravens did not attack. She lowered her arms, chest heaving as she gulped down mouthfuls of air—and nearly gagged at the scent coating her tongue.
Her stomach plummeted.
No… It couldn’t be.
Apprehension slithered through her veins as Thicket lifted her head. It wasn’t branches that had hit her legs, but a sea of purple and green. The scent of all the flowers combined stung her nose, as sharp and potent as it had been in the Dream World.
Lavender…
The ravens cawed from above, circling the sky like a black tornado. Watching them robbed Thicket of her balance, making her stagger. Or, was it the lavender scent? Her mind was foggy. She… couldn’t think straight anymore.
Give up, little Rose. The sound of her sister’s voice caressed her ear. She spun, but no one was there.
They chose you—again—casting me aside just like they did the raven. But they don’t know what I know.
Thicket rubbed her eyes, trying to keep them open, trying to shut out the words and stop the lavender from seeping into her mind. This wasn’t real. This wasn’t real.
She could smell the lavender.
She didn’t know her surroundings.
Lavender’s voice persisted. You are the prophesied plague upon our kingdom.
Thicket threw her hands over her ears.
She could smell the lavender.
You are destined to destroy them.
“What do you want?” she screamed out into the field.
For you to give in. Fall into an eternal sleep and let all your worries fade away…
Thicket scrunched her face, whipping her head to chase away the words.
This was a dream. Just a dream.
It wasn’t real.
It wasn’t—
Thicket shot upward, eyes flying open. Warm droplets spilled onto her clenched palms.
