Aries POV

The night had settled into an uneasy silence, the kind that held promises of hidden threats and unspoken fears. After our lengthy session, Natasha had retired to her room, leaving me alone to survey the suite one last time.

Despite her attempts to appear composed and in control, I could sense the turmoil brewing beneath her calm facade. The weight of her family's legacy and the constant danger had taken a toll on her and they fact that she wouldn't tell me certain things didn't sit well with me.

I moved methodically through the rooms, checking the windows and doors, ensuring every lock was secure. My training had taught me that complacency was the enemy. Danger had a way of creeping in when you least expected it. Satisfied that everything was secure, I settled into a chair near the window, and watched as the sun began to rise

I was gonna miss the sun now that I was gonna be leaving on the vampire schedule which was to be active at night and sleep doing the day

It wasn't long before I felt the pull of sleep tugging at me. It had been a long and eventful day but  I tried to fight it off, knowing that vigilance was crucial despite what Natasha told me about how strigoi never came out during the day. I wasn't convinced.

Yes they may not come out during the day but that doesn't mean that the person that wanted Natasha dead didn't have other means of getting what they wanted.

I soon lost the fight and eyes grew heavy, and despite my best efforts, sleep claimed me.

The next thing I knew, I was standing in a grand, opulent hall. The air was thick with the scent of roses and something metallic. Blood. I recognized this place from Natasha's descriptions during our conversations....her family estate. But this wasn't just any memory; it was the night her family had been murdered.

I looked around, trying to make sense of how I had ended up here. My surroundings were vivid, painfully real, and I realized with a jolt that I was inside Natasha's mind.

How am I in her mind? I asked myself

The hall was eerily silent, the kind of silence that spoke of death and despair. I moved cautiously, drawn toward the source of the metallic scent. As I rounded a corner, I saw them – Natasha's parents and older sister, lying motionless on the floor. Natasha stood over them, her young face contorted in anguish and terror.

"Natasha," I called out, my voice echoing through the hall. She didn't respond, too lost in her grief to notice me. I needed to reach her, to pull her out of this nightmare before it consumed her.

I moved closer, my footsteps silent on the marble floor. As I approached, a figure stepped out from the shadows

a Strigoi, its eyes glowing with a malevolent hunger. It lunged at Natasha, and without thinking, I sprang into action.

"Get away from her!" I shouted, drawing on every ounce of my training. My movements were swift and precise, a dance of survival. The Strigoi snarled, its fangs bared, but I didn't falter. I had faced worse before and lived to tell the tale.

The battle was brutal, each blow resonating with the raw power of my determination. I could feel Natasha's fear, her desperation, fueling my resolve. With a final, decisive strike, I drove the Strigoi back, its body disintegrating into ash.

I turned to Natasha, who was still frozen in place, her eyes wide with shock. "Natasha, it's over. You're safe," I said gently, reaching out to her. She blinked, as if coming out of a trance, and her eyes focused on me.

"Aries?" she whispered, her voice trembling.

"Yes, it's me. You're having a nightmare. We need to get out of here," I said, taking her hand. Her fingers were cold, and I could feel her trembling.

She nodded slowly, the nightmare's grip loosening. As we moved away from the grisly scene, the hall began to dissolve around us. The scent of blood faded, replaced by the soft, comforting aroma of roses. The nightmare was fading, but I could still feel Natasha's lingering fear.

I found myself back in the chair I had fallen asleep in, the night still and quiet.

I immediately got up and went to Natasha's bedroom where I saw
Her eyes flutter open, her breath coming in ragged gasps. I was beside her bed in seconds, my heart pounding from the intensity of the dream.

"You're okay," I signed, sitting on the edge of the bed. "It was just a nightmare."

Natasha looked at me, her eyes filled with gratitude and relief. "Thank you, Aries. I suppose I owe you an explanation"

That would be helpful I signed

When a spirit user brings the dead back to life it forges a bond between them and the person who died are now called "shadow-kissed." Someone who is shadow-kissed can slip into the spirit user's mind and know their thoughts, and they can experience things as if they were the spirit user themselves. I should have told you this before I was afraid that you would freak out and leave Natasha said

"I wouldn't have left Natasha. I am your guardian until you are safe." I signed "why didn't Alexei want you to bring me back"

"Because of the side effects. There are many negative side effects of spirit; it leads to depression and insanity so intense that the user will experience shaking and jitters while also causing them to self-harm repeatedly. These negative side effects are sometimes referred to as "the darkness." The spirit users' continued use of magic, both for restoring the dead and using compulsion, will distort their personalities and begin to weaken them until they die. This slow decay will manifest as hostility, paranoia, and a loss of inhibitions and rationality." Natasha said as I looked at her

And what about me? Does it affect me as well? I signed

Yes. Because you are now shadow kissed you will absorb the side effects, which in turn make you  experience dark feelings which can help but that also has its downside Natasha said

And what would that be? I signed

in turn, it can cause you to act out very violently or go insane. Natasha said

I nodded, understanding what was told and I could understand why she didn't want to tell me.

I placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "We're in this together, Natasha. We'll face whatever comes, together."

She gave a small, shaky smile. "I don't feel so alone anymore. Thank you."

"Get some rest," I said, rising to my feet. "I'll be right here if you need me."

"So we aren't gonna talk about the fact that you talked in my nightmare?" Natasha asked as I looked at her and she looked at me with her eyebrow raised

Shit. I didn't even realize that I did talk.

It's a long story to be told another night. Now get some sleep. I signed

I love forward to hearing it. Good night Alessandra Natasha said

I looked at her at the sound of my given name coming out her mouth. I liked how it sounded laced with her Romanian accent

Good night, Natasha I spoke sofly my Italian accent coming through

As she settled back into her pillows, I returned to my vigil by the window. It was still quite early, and there were many dangers yet to face. But for now, I had given Natasha a small measure of peace, and that was enough.

I watched over her as she slept, my mind turning over the events of the night. The connection between us was stronger than I had anticipated, and I knew it would be both a blessing and a challenge. But one thing was clear: I would protect her with my life, no matter the cost. And together, we would uncover the truth and bring her enemies to justice.

The night stretched on, filled with silent promises and unspoken vows. I was her guardian, her protector, and now, more than ever, I was determined to keep her safe from the darkness that sought to consume her.