Cass knew he was asleep. He wasn't sure how he knew, just that he had a knowing. It was unfortunate, since it didn't appear he was dreaming like he had been when he'd arrived at the mansion.
Instead, he felt like his body was consuming itself from the inside out.
Thin needles of heat were under his skin, starting at his chest and focused around his heart and spreading out. There were a few more focus spots, like his lower stomach, near his crotch, and his heart and crotch were pulsing together. It felt like a heartbeat meant only to hurt him.
His body was drenched in sweat, his breathing harsh and ragged, and he just wanted to wake up. This was a true nightmare.
He couldn't move either. He felt like he was spread out on warm ground, gravel beneath him. Was he naked? He had no idea. He just knew that he was spread out, his arms and legs slightly apart and away from his sides, like if he was floating in water.
