+++++
Leah stared at the ceiling in bewilderment, her glassy gaze clouded with mist. Her breathing was ragged, and her cheeks were flushed a deep red. Though her breaths began to slow, each exhale still carried an unnatural heat.
She remained half-lying across the dining table, her feet barely touching the floor.
In her arms rested Zed, his breathing steady and his eyes closed as though he were asleep. He was slumped forward, facing her, his weight pressing against her body. It seemed his feet kept him from collapsing completely, but without Leah to hold him, he would have slid to the floor.
The air cooled as silver mist curled up from the floor, the chandelier's light flickering toward a single point beside Leah. The vapor swirled, forming the shape of a man until sharp blue eyes and silver hair emerged from the haze. Without a sound, the presence came close to Leah.
