The blows pierced my dream like a hammer against glass.

Christabel I groaned into the pillow, my voice muffled and thick with sleep That's enough.

But the knocking didn't stop. Instead, a voice filtered through the heavy wooden door.

—Rise and shine, sleeping beauty.

Enzo.

I opened my eyes with a start, my heart leaping in irritation. I sat up, propping myself up on my elbows, and squinted, surveying the room with a distasteful expression.

I had been there for three days, and that place still didn't feel real.

I fumbled for the alarm clock on the nightstand and grimaced when I saw the time.

6:00 am

"You've got to be kidding me," I muttered, pulling back the sheets more forcefully than necessary.

The cold air hit my skin like a slap and I shuddered when my bare feet touched the ground.

I walked to the door and yanked it open, not caring that my hair was a mess or that I was still wearing the huge t-shirt I had slept in.

Enzo was in the hallway, irritatingly impeccable in dark training