The Nightmare hissed. Hurt her? I protect her. Then why are you growing stronger? Ravyn demanded. The Nightmare’s claws clacked against the dark floor of my mind as he paced, restless. When Rowan stole my life, my soul remained, sealed in the Nightmare Card. I waited hundreds of years, consumed by fury and salt. His voice clung to me, as if made of wax. Elspeth pulled me from the Card, the darkness. So I protected her from a world that would see her killed. I spoke to her from The Old Book. She was already good, clever. But I taught her to be wary. I gave her my gifts—my strength. But nothing
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