Halia's POV
I was standing in a field that was not supposed to be. The grass sparkled like it was covered in dust and the moon above was broken. Split right down the middle like a cut that would not heal. The trees made noises even though there was no wind and their branches looked like bony fingers reaching out. Every step I took made a noise even though I was not really walking on anything solid. It was all mist and silence.
Something felt very wrong. I turned around slowly looking for something that would tell me if this place was real or not.. My body was moving on its own like a string was pulling me forward.
Then I saw him. He was away just a dark shape. He was not moving, just standing there like a dark shadow. I could not see his face. I knew who he was. I knew the way his body looked the way the darkness seemed to cling to him. My heart started beating and I could hardly breathe.
It was him. The man from my dreams. The man who had touched me in the dark like he owned me. He raised his hand and the moon above flashed brightly for a moment blinding me. In that light I saw his eyes. They were gold. Seemed to go on forever.
I took a step forward. Then another. I could not stop myself. When our fingers touched the whole world seemed to break
I saw flashes of things. A circle of stones candles burning low blood on skin and my name being whispered into a flame. I heard a voice saying **"Halia."**. Then everything went dark.
---
I woke up with a scream. The sound came out of my mouth before I even opened my eyes. My body sat up straight. I was gasping for breath. My heart was pounding in my chest.
This was not my bed. The sheets were made of satin. Were a pale gray color. The air was cool and very still. A beautiful chandelier hung above me casting light everywhere. The curtains were made of velvet. Moved gently even though there was no wind. The floor was made of marble. Was too smooth and perfect.
**Where was I?** I blinked hard trying to clear my head. My head hurt and I felt confused.
This was not my home. I was not even wearing my clothes. I had on a silky nightdress that clung to my body. It was thin and unfamiliar.
My hand went to my neck. I felt the pendant that my mom had given me. It was still there cold and heavy against my skin. It felt alive like it was beating with a heartbeat of its own.
Then I remembered everything. I had told my mom that I was going to meet my friend Maggie. We had gone to the mall. Then I had the dream. The man in my dream had touched me. I had felt his hunger. His golden eyes had burned into my mind like two suns.
I remembered Maggie's laugh, the shopping and the sunlight.. Then I had gotten into a taxi and everything had gone wrong. The doors had been. I had been blindfolded. I had been taken to this place.