Chapter Text
Rough hands twisted her arms, holding her still. Clawed fingers tore the necklace from her neck. Pearls fell to the floor. Her head was pulled back. Her mouth was open. She was screaming. She couldn’t hear herself. A stone slab was cold against her back. They held her arms down until she felt the bite of metal on her wrists. Pleas fell from her lips. A blade nicked her neck. She whimpered and looked up into black eyes. They smiled at her, their mouths wide and their teeth sharp.
The blade sliced into her neck.
Makenna gasped, her hand flying to her throat and her heart thumping against her sternum. She drew in a shaky breath. Just a dream. Again. It wasn’t the first time she had the dream. They had started a few months ago. And they were becoming more frequent.
She pushed herself up. Looking next to her, she noticed the bed was empty. She reached to the bedside table and tapped her phone. The time popped up on the screen. She huffed in annoyance. It wasn’t even six in the morning. Solas may not mind getting up so early, but she hated it.
The wood was warm under her feet as she walked to the bathroom. The harsh light made her squeeze her eyes shut. Her hands traveled against the cold marble sink, searching for the faucet, and she turned on the water. She slowly opened her eyes and stared at herself in the mirror. The dark circles were becoming more pronounced. She needed sleep.
Makenna brushed her teeth while leaning on the counter with her elbow. As much as she wanted to go back to bed, she knew she wouldn’t get back to sleep in time. Why the fuck did I sign up to teach an 8am course again? Might as well start getting ready.
It was mornings like these that made her envious of Solas. He could wake up early, go for a run, get ready for work, and not be a zombie. And he could fall asleep the moment he laid down on the bed whereas she had to toss and turn for hours and pray for sleep. How they managed to sleep in the same bed she didn’t know, but her restlessness never seemed to bother him.
She walked back into the bedroom and opened his dresser. There was a drawer for her—he had cleared it out when she started sleeping at his apartment more than her own—but it only had a few pairs of underwear and old t-shirts. Makenna usually went back to her own apartment to shower and get dressed for work.
She changed and pulled on one of his shirts and a pair of sweatpants.
They had been dating for seven months and she still felt like she was encroaching on his space. Solas had hinted to her that he wanted her to move in. It would make the most sense. Her lease was almost up and Donnchad would be leaving to move in with his partner. Moving in with Solas would be better than paying for a two-bedroom apartment all by herself or getting a new roommate. But she still hadn’t said yes.
What if it was a mistake? What if they ended up resenting each other? What if their experience with the horror was the only thing that bonded them?
Makenna pressed the button on the coffee machine—Solas set it up for her every time she stayed over—and leaned her head against the cabinet. She yawned. The lack of sleep was going to kill her. Even the first sip was coffee wasn’t helping. She wished she could call out.
The front door lock clicked and it swung open. Solas walked in, headphones still in his ears, carrying a small white paper bag. He closed the door behind him before he noticed her. “Good morning,” he said, pulling his headphones out and dropping them onto the counter with the bag. “You look exhausted, vhenan.”
He had started calling her vhenan shortly after the new year. It had slipped out one night after a bottle of wine and that was it. But he wouldn’t tell her what it meant. She even tried to be sneaky and ask Raina, but the woman had just smirked on the video call and told Makenna that Solas would tell her when he was ready.
She hummed in agreement and took another sip of coffee.
“You had the dream again.”
She nodded.
Solas leaned against the counter. “Was it the same?”
Makenna’s hand unconsciously moved up to her throat. “Yeah,” she answered, her voice raspy. “It sucks.”
“I don’t think anyone would claim to like a dream in which their throat is slit,” he said, reaching for her hand. He raised her knuckles to his lips. “Did anything new occur?”
“It was the same.” She sighed. “I wish I knew why I was having this dream.”
“Any chance something could have attached to you?”
She shook her head. “None of our recent cases involved ghosts. It’s just been old pipes and seals on windows that needed replacing. Nothing that coincides with the dream.”
He kissed her forehead. “We’ll figure it out.”
Makenna closed her eyes and leaned into him. “I almost believe it when you say it.”
He chuckled.
Her phone alarm went off, making her jump. Damn. It was time for her to run home and get ready for the day. She pulled away first and turned off the alarm. “Any chance you’ll be free for lunch today?”
“If you’re okay with a late lunch. I have a meeting at eleven.”
“Just text me when you’re done. We can eat in my office,” she said, raising up on the balls of her feet to kiss his cheek.
“And I take it you’ll be commandeering my clothes,” he teased.
“Don’t worry, I’ll bring them back.”
“I should hope so. Although, it would be easier to make use of the drawer.”
“I keep forgetting,” she lied.
He was smarter than that. And he knew her better. One day they would have to sit down and talk about it, but she wasn’t ready for that. She wasn’t ready to lay down her feelings and insecurities just yet. Instead, she kissed him, grabbed her coffee, her keys, and her phone before heading out the door. Makenna walked the few feet to the elevator and pressed the button. It was empty this early in the morning. She leaned her head on the wall; the smooth motion almost made her doze off.
The cool air made her shiver. It was barely spring and the temperatures hadn’t started to rise yet. Wrapping her arms around her midsection, she made her way to her car with her keys jingling in her hand. It was the only sound in the parking garage. The minivan sat in a corner by the entrance. Dorian was still trying to get her to trade it in, but she had become fond of it over the years. Especially when she had to lug equipment around.
It took the car a few minutes to warm up. Makenna fiddled with the radio, not thrilled with any of the talk shows on the air. She switched over to a cd and leaned back in her seat. Her phone chimed from the passenger seat.
Dorian: Are you awake?
Makenna: Of course, I am
Makenna: I’m the dumbass who decided to teach an early class
Makenna: Why are you up?
Dorian: Early meeting
Makenna: I’m surprised you’re going
Makenna: I’ve never known you cut your beauty sleep short 😏
Dorian: Ha
Dorian: Ha 😐
Dorian: Are you and Solas still coming over for dinner tomorrow?
Makenna: Yes
Makenna: What do I need to bring?
Dorian: Wine of course
Dorian: and dessert because I will not have time
Makenna: Got it 😘
Makenna set the phone in her holder and buckled her seat belt. It was just turning six. If she was quick, she would have enough time to grab breakfast before going in. She pulled out onto the empty street. Thankfully, her apartment wasn’t too far from Solas’ apartment and campus. If she lived with Solas it would give her more time to sleep and relax before rushing in.
So why don’t you?
Even her own thoughts were annoyed with her. She sighed.
Donnchad wasn’t in the apartment when she entered. She wasn’t surprised. He spent most of his nights at his partner’s apartment. He was practically moved out already. Only a few things of his remained. It gave the place an empty feeling. They had shared the apartment for a few years. And now she was all alone in it. Staying didn’t make sense.
She stripped off Solas’ clothes and kicked them into her dirty laundry pile. It was about time to do laundry. The shower was bracing, she didn’t wait for the hot water, and helped wake her. Makenna was quick. She was showered and dressed in less than half an hour. Ten minutes after that she was in line at the coffee shop closest to campus. She wasn’t early enough to beat the crowd, but she still made it to her office right before seven with two coffees in hand.
“Morning, Professor,” her TA stood beside the door.
Makenna held out one of the coffees. “Morning, Cole. You’re earlier than usual.”
“I had a feeling I should be here.”
“I’m glad you are.”
Makenna had met Cole in the previous semester. He was one of her quieter students, but everything he said in class was profound and compassionate. It was no surprise she selected him as her assistant. He was intuitive. She wouldn’t be shocked if he had similar abilities as she did. It was why he also went with her on cases.
“I finished the reports for the last few cases.”
She pushed open the door. “Great. I’ll read them over and then file them.”
The door opened into an office room with Cole’s desk and a set of chairs sitting in front of the desk to the left. To the right, was a small table with a coffee pot. Various potted plants were scattered on Cole’s desk, the coffee table, and some were hanging. Behind Cole’s desk was the door to her actual office that doubled as a filing room for the cases. She propped open the door while Cole went to his desk and set down his coffee.
“Do I have any meetings today?” Makenna asked, unlocking her door.
Cole grabbed a spray bottle to water the plants. “None.”
“Great. Solas will be coming by for lunch.”
He nodded. “I will be going out for lunch.”
Makenna bumped her door open with her hip. “Oh? Will you be having lunch with Maryden again?”
The tips of his ears turned pink. “Yes.”
She grinned. Cole was awkward and shy, but he was quite taken with Maryden. Makenna was just glad that Maryden didn’t make fun of him for being in the parapsychology program. Not everyone took it seriously. But she seemed just as interested in Cole.
Makenna walked into her office and placed her coffee on her desk. The filing cabinets took up the wall to the left of her. Her desk was smack dab in the middle of the room. A small couch took up space on the right. It was surprising how many times she caught a nap in her office. A bookshelf sat beside the couch, filled with books, knickknacks, and succulents. She opened the blinds to let the sun in and sat in her leather chair.
While she scarfed down her breakfast—bacon, egg, and cheese on a bagel—Cole brought in the files and set them in her intake box. She would have time to do them later. Along with grading. She groaned. The day was just starting and she was already ready to go to bed.
***
Blood flowed from her neck. It soaked into her starch white wedding gown, staining the delicate fabric. She pulled against her bonds. The metal bit into her flesh. She cried out. How could he do this? She loved him. A hand clamped down on her shoulder and she—
Makenna sat up with a gasp.
Solas leaned away from her. His hand was outstretched. Had he touched her? Makenna pressed her hand to her throat. There was more to the dream. There was never more. She had never made it past her throat being slit before. Makenna released a shaky breath.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
She nodded. He stood up as she swung her legs to the floor and settled back into the couch. When he had text her that his meeting was running late, she had decided to take a short nap. Of course, she couldn’t even do that without having a nightmare. Solas sat down on the couch beside her and immediately stroked her hair. She leaned over and rested her head on his shoulder.
“I…she was wearing a wedding dress.” Makenna licked her chapped lips. “I think she was killed as a bride.”
Solas paused. “Did you not know this before?”
She shook her head.
“It’s escalating.”
It wasn’t a question, but she nodded. “I’m so tired,” she said, her voice a low whine. She felt pathetic for sounding like a whiny child, but she was wanted—needed—sleep.
Solas resumed running his fingers through her hair. “It’ll be okay, vhenan. I promise.”
But she knew he couldn’t promise something like that. Not when she didn’t know where the dreams were coming from. She didn’t even know where to start looking. Now she knew the woman was a bride, but that wasn’t enough detail to start looking. The only way to find out more was to hope she would dream of it, but she didn’t want to do that either.
“What time is it?” she asked instead of dumping her frustration on him.
“A little after two.”
“Do you have any more classes today?”
“No.”
“Me neither.” She sat up. “I think I’m going to close up the office early. I can grade papers at home.”
“I’d prefer if you came to my place. I’m worried about you.”
“Where else would we go?” she asked.
He quirked an eyebrow.
“What?”
He shook his head. “Nothing.”
Without another word, Solas helped her gather her stuff, and the lunch he had brought with him. Makenna locked the door behind her and sent Cole a text to let him know that she was gone for the day. They walked to Solas’ car, a silver 4-door sedan.
“Dorian text me to remind me about dinner tomorrow,” she said, buckling herself into the passenger seat.
“What are we bringing?” Solas asked.
“Wine and dessert.”
“Of course.” He pulled out of the parking lot. “Would you like me to stop anywhere?”
She shook her head, stifling a yawn with her hand. “Just home is good.”
He shot her a glance but didn’t say anything. The ride home was quiet. While they sat in traffic, Solas’ hand sought hers. Their fingers interlaced and he rubbed circles into her hand with his thumb. Makenna relaxed. He raised her hand to his lips. She watched him with her eyes half-closed. Goddess, did she love him.
What am I waiting for then?