Erador stepped into the street and searched the area. Screeches drew near as a black mass slid across the road ahead. Plum, who Erador once called Slen, stretched into a tall being that reached the eaves of the homes. Erador’s breathing hitched. A hand on his shoulder stabled him. Aminria’s gentle touch reminded him that she was here to help like she had since they tried to expose Yuni.

  He gripped the bracelet and moved down the steps. Plum didn't react. Stinging pain erupted from his scars and coursed through his body. He hunched over, gripping his body but he wouldn't give in. He wouldn't let the lurker win. He focused on the visions to feed them into Plum, to make her feel the pain she'd endured. Sweat built on his hands, the bracelet seeming heavier. Plum inched closer as if she were savoring this moment to finally kill him.

  “Erador,” Aminria said, in panic from the porch.

  She grabbed Erador’s hand and shook the bracelet in a rhythm. Plum stopped and moaned as visions crossed in Erador’s mind.

  The little red-headed girl jumped in her pink dress in the grass as she shook her wrist. A shadow danced to the rhythm around her and a man’s cheerful laughter erupted. Shade pulled Erador back and he used Aminria’s touch to anchor him here. The shadow gave an encouraging imagine of Loma looking at him proudly. Their support stopped Erador from shaking.

  Plum swayed to the bracelet’s rhythm.

  “It’s working.” Erador laughed, nervously. “Have you sung to her?”

  “To my father… Can she hear?”

  “No,” Erador said. “But she can through me. Sing.”

  Aminria hummed a tune and the creature let out a pleasant rumble. When Aminria let go of him, Erador shook the bracelet to that same rhythm. Angry emotions lifted and Erador felt lighter. He pushed into Plum mentally, letting her know he wanted to help. Shade encouraged it. His feelings of acceptance were stronger than before, something he craved from his father. He wouldn't let this creature feel shame for only wanting love.

  “Plum,” Erador said. “I want to help you start over.”

  “Erador!” Aminria screamed. “Watch out!”

  Hawth charged at them. Heart in his throat, Erador tried to dodge but Hawth sliced his arm, causing him to drop the bracelet. His feelings of acceptance faded, pain returning as Plum screeched. Clenching his teeth, Erador gripped his bleeding arm. He reached for the bracelet but Hawth tackled him and forced his hands on his throat.

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  Aminria screamed and tried to pull Hawth off, but she couldn’t. Hawth pushed harder into Erador’s throat, his fangs bared and anger in his gaze as Erador tried to gasp for air. He writhed and kicked his legs and tugged at Hawth’s hands. Aminria punched Hawth’s head several times and he let go.

  Plum swiped at them. Hawth dodged and Erador scrambled away, coughing and gasping for air. Plum grabbed his foot and dragged him across the ground. Shouting, Erador kicked the lurker, but it wouldn’t relent.

  Screaming, Aminria ran after him, but Hawth smacked her down.

  “Plum,” Erador said. “Don’t this.”

  Plum’s shadow cast over Erador, and he could no longer feel Shade, only Plum’s rage. He only had himself to fix this. Erador tapped into Plum’s emotions, noticing it was not anger at him, it was anger from what was taken from her too soon. Erador knew what that was like after losing Pia, Breck, and Sescina. They were taken too soon for Erador to get to know the sweet and kind Pia that he had more in common with than he thought. Or give him a chance to see the better sides of Breck, he never got to and maybe he would've stopped thinking of him so harshly. With Sescina, he could’ve shared his memories with her and made new ones. He would give anything to listen to her fuss about his wounds caused from his poor choices.

  His mind shifted to Emera remembering how harsh he'd been, partially because she loved Taurin so much and Erador could never see why. She was loved by others and Breck said how giving and thoughtful she could be. All of them were victims of Lucrethia’s downfall. Even Erador, who had grown to resent it here, and resent the Paradin’s mistreatment. He had become too much like his father by harshly judging every one before he knew them.

  He'd done the same to Plum. She deserved another chance.

  Visions materialized of a man reaching toward the bed to grab a woman’s hand. The pain of loss flooded through Erador’s emotions, consuming him as if it were his own. Hands reached toward the woman’s sweaty face, gently closing her eyes that stared at the ceiling.

  Then came visions of little Aminria running along the white beach with a little boy, their warming laughter that brought joy to their father mirrored in Erador. Plum danced around them on the ground, panicking when they got close to the water. Aminria pulled the boy away from the waves. That jingling bracelet carried on as the girl opened her mouth to sing. Then he heard it.

  It wasn’t coming from Aminria. It erupted from Plum’s body that vibrated to imitate the sound. Aminria screamed as Hawth grabbed her and pinned her to the ground. Plum removed herself from Erador and turned around. A roar vibrated from her body, and fury ran through Erador’s soul.

  Plum ripped Hawth off Aminria and threw him. He slammed onto the ground. Erador helped Aminria up and pulled her toward the house as Plum passed them. The lurker swiped at Hawth, slicing his arm, and he let out a guttural scream. He backed away, as Plum stalked toward him. He took one torn look at Aminria and Erador and ran. Plum chased him out of sight. Erador relieved a breath as he checked Aminria for wounds, but she only had some scratches.

  “You were right.” Aminria held Erador tightly. “She’s not a monster.”

  He picked up her bracelet and held it out to her. “She just needed someone to understand.”

  Aminria nodded and took the bracelet. “You think she’ll kill Hawth?”

  “I hope so.” He looked at the manor, looming on the hill. “We need to get to the Paradins.”