Until the World Falls Down

Chapter 15

15

H eartache settled in as the shadows melted away, and unshed tears blurred my vision. My shaking hand was still stretched out in front of me, reaching for Enver. His harshness left me with a feeling I knew all too well. The sting of rejection I’d felt over and over again. The familiar pain of knowing no one would love me how I wanted them to.

But I didn’t expect that of Enver. I knew he couldn’t love me. I knew he only felt desire toward me. It shouldn’t have hurt to hear it was only sex that made him feel happy, but I’d let myself believe there was something more between us. That when he said he wanted me, it went deeper than just physical pleasure. That when he promised me he would love me in any way he could, he meant it. That when he said he’d felt happy because of me, it wasn’t only because I’d let him touch me.

I blinked rapidly, refusing to let the tears fall. I should have known better.

I did know better.

But once again, I would have given up every part of me for a chance at love, even if it wasn’t real .

As my vision cleared, I looked down and realized I was now wearing a tight black dress—the same one I’d worn to the club the night Enver came to me. My head snapped back up, and I inhaled sharply, finding myself in my front yard. In front of my house. The sight of it stole the air from my lungs. I was… home?

I glanced around me, seeing the familiar sight of my lilac bush beside my front door, its branches dead, the cold air having defoliated it. I forced my feet forward, unable to trust my eyes, and reached out to touch it. Its limbs were cold and hard, and one scraped along the back of my hand, causing a twinge of pain.

I still didn’t believe it. My heart hammered in my chest. How had I come back? Had Enver sent me back? Had he had the power to set me free the entire time? Or had I somehow completed the labyrinth without even realizing it?

I climbed the steps to my front door, found it unlocked, and pushed it open. I wanted to cry at the sight of my kitchen. I was home. I didn’t know how, but I was home.

I kicked off my heels, taking in the familiar scent of my home, and feeling the overwhelming heat that I always cranked when the temperature dropped outside. I moved further into the kitchen cautiously, as if expecting it to dissipate into shadows. My favorite candle sat on my kitchen table, filling the room with its familiar and comforting scent.

I paused, frowning at it. Had I left a candle burning when I’d left? I didn’t think I would. House fires had always been a fear of mine, and I wouldn’t have risked it.

A noise suddenly came from the living room. I turned toward it, my heart jumping into my throat.

“Nell? Is that you?”

I froze at the sound of Julian’s voice. He appeared seconds later, his blond hair disheveled and his eyes wide with shock. I noted his wrinkled maroon T-shirt. It looked like he’d slept in it for days .

“Nell!” he cried, and the next thing I knew, I was in his arms. They wrapped around me, pulling me to his chest. “Where the hell have you been?”

Stunned, I went stiff in his hold, my forehead pressed against his collarbone.

“Nell, why didn’t you answer my calls?” Julian continued, taking my face in his hands, wrenching my head up to face him. “Do you know how worried I was? How could you ignore me like that?”

I stared at him, at the concern etched into his expression. It couldn’t be for me. Why would he care if I’d disappeared?

“Are you okay? Why aren’t you saying anything?” he asked, pulling back so he could run his eyes over my body as if checking for injury. “What happened to you?”

“How long have I been gone?” I asked shakily, still trying to process the fact I was home.

“Nearly three days,” Julian answered, his lips pressing into a tight line. “Where have you been? I thought something happened to you! You can’t just disappear like that! I almost called the police to report you missing.”

“Why would you do that?”

Julian gave me a look of disbelief. “Why? Because you’re my girlfriend and you went missing! I was worried sick about you.”

I blinked at him. “I’m your girlfriend? What does your fiancée think of that?”

His expression fell, regret crossing his face. “Nell. Listen?—”

I tried to shrug out of his hold. “Let me go.”

“No,” he said, hugging me closer, his hand sliding to the back of my head, tucking me into him. “Nell, I made a mistake. I broke it off with Veronica.”

I stood there, leaving my arms limply at my side, but my heart leaped into my throat. “What?”

“I’ve been an asshole. No, I’ve been worse than that,” Julian said, crushing me to him. “I’m so sorry. I should have never done that to you. You have been nothing but perfect to me, and I betrayed you in the worst way. I didn’t see what I had in front of me. But when you disappeared, I thought my world ended.”

I didn’t want to hear this. Tremors wracked my body. He didn’t mean it. “Julian?—”

“Please listen to me,” he said, pushing me back so he could see my face again. His eyes were red-rimmed and wet.

“No,” I said, although my voice came out strained.

“These have been the worst days of my life. Knowing you were missing. Knowing it was because of my stupidity and selfishness. The idea of never seeing you again has been killing me. I haven’t slept. I couldn’t eat. I could only think about you. It made me realize how much I care about you.” Tears slipped down his cheeks. “I’m sorry for what I said before. You are more than enough, Nell. You’re everything to me. I’m sorry for everything. I really am.”

I could only watch him, my heart pounding. His skin was gaunt, and dark circles stained the skin under his eyes. I’d never seen him like this before. He never cried. He especially never cried for me.

My fingers twitched, instinctively wanting to reach out to him, to accept him again, but I forced myself to keep my hands at my side. I couldn’t give in to that instinct. Enver said I hadn’t learned anything, but I had . I knew I didn’t want to be desperate enough to be with Julian again. Knew he would never love me.

“Please, Nell. Say something,” he pleaded.

I slowly shook my head, trying to pull myself free from him again. “No, I…”

His fingers dug into my arms. “Don’t leave me, Nell. Please. Don’t leave me again. I promise I will be better. I don’t want to lose you. I can’t. I…”

Everything blurred around me. I couldn’t hear anything but Julian’s voice. I couldn’t see anything but his lips moving, forming the only words I’d ever wanted to hear from him .

“I love you.”

All the air left my lungs.

I love you.

I love you.

I staggered into him, my knees giving out, his words echoing in my mind. He caught me, pressing his face against my neck.

“I love you, Nell. I always have. I’m sorry for not saying it sooner. For lying to you and saying I never did. I love you,” he whispered into my hair. “I love you so much.”

He loved me. He loved me.

I couldn’t believe it. I could barely breathe, clinging to him. This couldn’t be real. It had to be an illusion. But Enver’s promise flitted into my mind—that if I completed the labyrinth, I would get what I wanted. Love. And being here, being home, meant I’d succeeded. Enver and Isla both confirmed that.

This was real.

But was it even what I wanted anymore? After everything Julian had done to me? What if he was lying?

“Nell, I’m sorry it took me so long to realize it,” Julian said, pressing a kiss against my neck. “I’m sorry I hurt you so badly. I was an idiot. I took you for granted. I didn’t deserve you before, but I promise, if you give me another chance, I’ll treat you the way you deserve to be treated.”

“How can I believe you?” I whispered.

He held onto me tighter. “I know I haven’t given you a reason to trust me, but I will spend the rest of my life making it up to you. I’ve found a job. I’ll support myself. I’ll support you so you can quit your shitty job. Just stay with me, Nell. Please. I love you.”

My quivering hands slid around Julian’s waist, hugging him back. Heat radiated off him. His body formed to mine, solid and real. Tears blurred my vision as I listened to him confess his love for me again and again. What I had wanted for so long was finally happening. Julian loved me. Why would I refuse it?

“I love everything about you, Nell. Your kindness, your dedication to our relationship. I love the small things you do for me, even if I never acknowledged them before. I promise I won’t ever betray you again. I will love you the way I should have this entire time.”

I clung to him tighter, trying not to sob. This was all I ever wanted to hear. All I ever hoped for. Even if Julian had made a mistake, I could forgive him, couldn’t I? I’d wanted this for too long to throw it away. He’d apologized. He’d promised to be better. I wasn’t perfect, either. From here, we could grow together.

I would forget the one who could never love me. Forget his labyrinth.

Yet when I tried to speak, the words felt laden, clinging to my throat. “I… I love you, too,” I whispered, forcing them out.

Julian’s breathing stuttered, and he pulled back again, his hand coming to cradle my cheek. It felt cold and unfamiliar. His palm was too rough, scratching my skin. Not soft like Enver’s.

My heart skipped a beat, and I pushed the thought aside. I wouldn’t think of Enver anymore. Julian gave me what Enver couldn’t. Where Enver wanted me for sex, Julian wanted my heart and offered his in return. A heart I would gladly take in exchange for my own.

Julian leaned down, his lips hovering over mine. I closed my eyes, allowing him to kiss me. He pressed too hard against me, his lips crushing mine forcefully. Nothing like the way Enver’s lips had caressed and molded to mine as if we were made for each other.

I stiffened. No . I wasn’t going to think about Enver anymore. It was over.

Julian kissed me deeper, hungry and rough, and I fought off the urge to shrink back, trying to lose myself in his taste and touch. Julian was who I wanted. Who would make me happy. His fingers tangled in my hair, tugging painfully, and I gasped. Revulsion rolled through me at the taste of his tongue against mine, but I ignored it.

This was what I wanted.

Julian was who I wanted.

Julian walked me backward, his lips never leaving mine. I gripped his shirt for support as he guided me into the living room, the back of my knees hitting my couch. We broke apart as he pushed me down, and I landed on the cushions with a light thud. He climbed over me, his hands trailing over my body, groping me.

I couldn’t relax under his weight. I tried to lean back and enjoy it, but my heart raced for the wrong reason. Everything felt off. His touch, his kiss, his body. He didn’t notice my hesitation as he kissed along my jaw, his hands sliding to my thighs, inching up my dress. As he mouthed across my neck, he stopped.

“What is this?” he asked, his lips pressing together.

My eyes widened when I realized he was seeing the marks Enver had left on my neck.

“Did you sleep with someone else?” Julian asked.

“I…” I couldn’t think quickly enough to lie. “Yes.”

I expected Julian to be pissed. Instead, he sighed. “I’m sorry. I drove you to do that, didn’t I? I can’t blame you. I didn’t give you enough attention.”

“I’m sorry,” I apologized, my heart swelling with hope. Julian was already acting differently than before. He was already keeping true to his promise. “I won’t sleep with anyone else again.”

“Good,” he murmured, kissing the marks on my neck. “I won’t either. You’re mine. And I’m yours from now on.”

The possessiveness in his voice reminded me of the way Enver had made the same claim, but instead of filling me with desire as Enver’s did, it left me uneasy. Julian crashed his lips into mine again, shoving my dress up to my waist. My hands moved to stop him, but I forced them back to the cushions, letting him spread my legs.

“Let me love you,” he said. “Let me make everything up to you. I want this. Don’t you?”

I did want this. I wanted Julian. We loved each other. “Yes, I do,” I responded.

Julian unzipped his jeans, his mouth meeting mine again. He pushed my underwear aside, and my eyes shot open in bewilderment. We were doing it like this? Face-to-face? He’d never wanted to see my face before.

His eyes were still closed as he moved back to adjust our positions, helping me wrap my legs around his waist. My gaze dropped to his erection. Completely hard. I didn’t even have to suck him off first.

He wanted me. This proved it.

I reached up and brought his face back to mine, kissing him hard. He moaned, and I finally felt arousal beginning to build in me. His tip nudged against me, and I tried to calm my racing heart.

Without warning, he pulled back, breaking our kiss. Before I could ask what was wrong, he grabbed my waist, rolling me over so that my knees were now on the cushion. My stomach dropped as his fingers dug into my hips, yanking me closer to him. I glanced over my shoulder at him, my chest tightening at the sight of his head tilted down, eyes focused on my ass.

“Julian, wait,” I said, trying to push away from the back of the couch. My next words caught in my mouth, but I managed to get them out, hesitant and quiet. “I don’t want to do it like this. I want to see you.”

One of his hands slid between my shoulder blades, not forcing me back down, but halting my movement. “You know how much I like it like this, Nell. Just relax.”

My heart pounded in my chest as he bore down on me, sinking my chest and face into the back of the couch. “Julian?—”

“ Shh , you’ll enjoy it like you always do.”

Enjoy it ? Did I ever enjoy it?

Enver appeared in my mind again. His dark eyes trained on mine, never letting me turn my face away from his, always wanting to see me. His deep kisses and his soft touches. How he treated me like I was the most precious thing to him. The way he never seemed to get enough of giving me pleasure. Of me. Even if it had only been about sex to him, he had still treated me better than Julian ever had. Than Julian ever would.

But Enver wasn’t here. Enver didn’t love me.

Julian did.

Wasn’t that enough? Wasn’t that what I wanted? Wasn’t this what the labyrinth had given me for completing it?

Julian lined himself up with me, his hand moving up my back to my neck, applying pressure, pushing my face down.

I squeezed my eyes shut, my hands shaking as I held onto the back of the couch. This had to be enough. It had to be what I wanted. Wasn’t it?

But why wasn’t I happy? Why did I feel as though a weight was bearing down on me, threatening to crush me? Why did Enver’s words and promises fill my mind?

You should know how you deserve to be treated and understand how he never deserved you.

Why did I think I’d hate myself if I went through with this?

Julian paused his movements. “Oh darling, you’re quite conflicted, aren’t you?”

My eyes flew open, and I glanced over my shoulder at him. “What?”

“This is quite the surprise,” he continued, an amused look crossing his face. “This man is not the center of your desires, yet you’d still consider accepting him?”

“What…” I trailed off, nausea creeping through me. I wrenched myself away from him, shoving myself off the couch and fixing my dress. “You’re not Julian.”

“Obviously.”

Julian’s form shifted, his body becoming taller and less bulky, his light blond hair turning jet black, his jaw becoming sharper, and his hazel eyes darkening to a familiar charcoal color. Enver.

No, not Enver. Whoever had taken the form of Enver.

“My little lover,” they crooned. “Come. Let me show you how you should be treated.”

“Who are you?” I asked immediately, my skin crawling.

They tilted their head. “You caught on so quickly with him. Not so much with the first one. Perhaps you would have succumbed to me more easily in this form. You put up quite the fight, even with my influence. I almost got you, though. Seems your mental fortitude is strong, even if your resolve isn’t.”

Their words sank in, and I could feel the blood drain from my face. I was still in the labyrinth. Julian hadn’t forgiven me. He hadn’t claimed to love me. Everything had been a trick. One I nearly fell for because my emotions had been missed with. “Who are you?” I whispered again, my throat feeling tight.

“I have many names,” they told me, and my living room melted away around us, revealing a dark forest. Dead trees stretched overhead, and snow covered the ground, muting all sounds. “I also have many forms.”

I gasped as their form changed from Enver to Aki in the blink of an eye, then to an employee of a cafe I frequented, then to Neima, and finally to Veronica. The image of my sister made me recoil, nearly slipping in the wet snow.

“Oh, isn’t she a catch?” Not-Veronica commented. “What beautiful hair. Why is yours already greying? ”

“It’s not grey,” I said, still reeling but needing to defend my hair. “It’s white. I dyed it on purpose.”

“Hm. Interesting choice.”

“What are—” I cut myself off, trying to think of a better way to word my question. No one deserved to be referred to with the word what . Even if they lured me into labyrinths or tried to sleep with me using my boyfriend’s form—ex-boyfriend’s form. “You’re not human.”

They laughed, the sound an exact replica of Veronica’s laugh. It made my stomach roll. “You’re so observant!”

I flushed, irritation seeping through me. “What is this? Why were you pretending to be Julian?”

They morphed again, resuming Julian’s form. “I showed you one of your deepest desires.”

My deepest desires? Being with Julian? “I desire him still?” I asked.

“Not quite,” they said. “Your desires have changed, but that man lingers in your mind.” Julian became Enver again, and they stepped closer to me. “You desire him now. But you don’t want to. You know you can’t have him, and it hurts you. Yet you can’t help but long for him. How tragic.”

I stared at them, clenching my jaw. I couldn’t deny what they were saying this time. “What do you want?” I asked.

“Do you know what you do to him?” They smirked wickedly, the look unnatural on Enver’s face—his lips stretched too wide, too thin. “Do you know how you make him feel?”

“Stop,” I said, my pulse picking up.

“He wants you, too, you know.”

My heart stuttered. “What?”

“But it’s not the same way you want him. He wants to keep you. Possess you. He can barely control himself around you. Barely rein in the darkness. He has to restrain himself every time you come near. But his desires are misplaced. ”

“What do you know of what he wants?” I asked, shivering in the frigid air.

“I can see people’s desires,” they responded. “I feed off them.” They took on another new form—my mom. “Ah. There’s always trauma brought on by someone’s parents, isn’t there? You want to know why she decided to abandon you but not your sister. Why she came back into your life only to use you.”

“No,” I responded, my voice wavering. “You’re wrong.”

“ Why is it always me? That’s what you ask yourself, isn’t it?”

My pulse thudded in my ears. “No. Stop it…”

“Poor little human. I almost feel bad for you. Especially because I have no answer for you. Cruelty does not always have an explanation. Sometimes, it simply is.”

I watched as they transformed once more, now taking the shape of a slender person with midnight blue hair tied in a loose ponytail over their shoulder. Their skin turned from white to a pale white, their eyes becoming a beautiful jade color. They stretched their arms out, letting their neck roll from side to side as if getting more comfortable in this form. A tail flicked in the air and swayed, batting away snowflakes.

I tried to calm myself down, my fingernails digging into my palm. “Are you some kind of… sex spirit?”

They laughed, the sound echoing through the silent snowy forest. “Well, you could certainly put it like that in your case, but not everyone’s desires are sexual in nature. I actually prefer when they’re not. I feed of desire in general. I do tend to find some humans refer to me using the term incubus, although I don’t always appear as a male. You’re not picky about someone’s sex though, huh?”

“Stay out of my head,” I warned.

They cocked an eyebrow. “You sure? I could answer a few questions for you.”

I didn’t know whether I could believe them. Yet, one question still came to the tip of my tongue. “What do you mean Enver’s desires are misplaced?”

Snow fell harder around us, and they brushed some flakes off their shoulder. “You should never trust someone who has no memory of themselves or their past. You do not know who he was before. What he could have done.”

I frowned. Enver had said the same thing. “I’ll make the decision to trust Enver or not myself.”

“Suit yourself. You’re free to break your own heart. You’re quite good at it, it seems.”

“Are you doing his labyrinth?” I asked, shivering again and ignoring their jibe. The frigid air burned at my skin, and I could barely feel my hands. “I am, too.”

They didn’t seem surprised by my question. “I am.”

“I’m Nell,” I said needlessly.

“Morgan.”

I watched them warily. Judging by the way the other layers of the labyrinth had worked, for me to complete this one, I would need to help them in some way—even if they’d tried to deceive me. I also wanted to know what would happen when all the pieces of the gemstone in the pendant were together again. “Is there somewhere warmer we can go?”

Morgan considered it for a moment. “Sure.”

I blinked and suddenly found myself in a cabin, warmth enveloping me as a fire blazed in a fireplace tucked into the corner of the room. I glanced around, startled to find a man sleeping in a nearby bed. My head jerked back to Morgan, who stood beside me.

“Who is that?” I whispered.

“A… friend,” Morgan said, walking over to the man’s side.

I studied him for a moment, seeing him struggle to breathe, a sheen of sweat on his forehead. “What’s wrong with him?”

Morgan hesitated, glancing at me, a frown twisting on their lips. “I fed off him, and he’s been like this since. ”

“Isn’t feeding off someone taking their energy?” I asked, trying to remember any knowledge of incubi I had. It was mainly from fiction, but maybe it held true here. I’d read a few succubus romances.

“I suppose. I consume their desires, and it gives me my life force.”

“That’s what you planned to do to me?”

“Yes,” they responded casually. “You happened to appear at the perfect moment. I couldn’t take from Karim again. Not when he’s like this.”

The gauntness in Karim’s face and the pallor of his brown skin were evident. “Does feeding off someone leave them like this?”

“Not if it’s only once. They won’t even remember it. It would be like a pleasant dream,” Morgan told me.

“How many times have you fed off Karim?”

Morgan tensed a bit. “He’s been my only energy source for a while now.”

“Isn’t that dangerous?” I asked, turning back to Morgan, worried. “If you’re taking someone’s energy constantly, how will they replenish it?”

“That’s not my concern.”

“Did Karim agree to this?”

“He doesn’t need to. He doesn’t remember anything.”

“Morgan, that’s?—”

“How I survive,” Morgan cut me off, narrowing their eyes. “It’s no different from how you humans slaughter an animal for food. They did not consent to that, either. At least those I feed on don’t die. I have no choice but to do this. It’s how I survive.”

I couldn’t argue that point. I was trying to rush into figuring out how to complete this layer of the labyrinth without considering Morgan’s situation. “I’m sorry. I spoke out of turn. I don’t know your circumstances.”

Morgan eyed me, but their expression relaxed. “For what it’s worth, most human’s desires are more forthright than yours. I don’t have to deceive the majority. Karim welcomes me every time. I’m even in my own form when I go to him.”

“Why have you only been taking energy from him?” I asked.

“His energy is powerful. Addicting. And he is very receptive to me,” Morgan said, a small smile pulling at their lips. “I’ve never met a human like him before.”

A moan came from Karim, concern replaced Morgan’s amusement, and they hurried to his side. “Karim?”

I followed them, stopping by the bedside, seeing Karim’s eyes squeezed shut as if in pain, another groan escaping his dry lips. “Is there anything we can do for him?” I asked Morgan.

“No. I don’t think so.”

“So, he’s just going to suffer?”

“There’s nothing I can do.”

“You caused this,” I said.

“And?”

The indifference in their response threw me. “He could die because of you. Because you decided his desires tasted the best. And now you don’t care that you hurt him?”

Morgan threw me a harsh look. “You’re speaking about something you don’t understand again.”

“I understand that you used Karim, and it ended with him harmed, whether you intended that or not. We can’t just leave him like this?—”

“What do you want me to do?” Morgan snapped, spinning around to face me. “I didn’t know if I took this much, his life would be in danger! I just… felt comfortable with him. Happy. I didn’t want to lose that connection. I didn’t know it’d end up this way.”

I stayed quiet for a moment, my gaze shifting back to Karim. Maybe Morgan wasn’t as nonchalant about Karim’s state as I thought. They seemed to care about Karim. “What did you want from the labyrinth?” I asked .

Morgan hesitated before speaking. “I wanted to have a real relationship with Karim. To come to him as myself, not only in a dreamlike state. Normal humans can’t see my kind. But then the labyrinth showed me how it might be possible. If I only fed from him, we’d form a connection, and he would one day be able to see me. I think it’s been working, too. He’s been desiring me —even before I go to him. Desiring to talk with me, to simply spend time with me. But he has only grown weaker and weaker.”

“Why didn’t you stop, then?”

Morgan gritted their teeth, throwing me a glare. “Because I thought this was the only way. I just wanted him to see the real me. I didn’t know it’d become like this.”

They hunched their shoulders, their gaze returning to Karim. I studied them for a moment, unsure of what to do. It was clear they cared about Karim, but their desires blinded them. Like the other participants in the labyrinth, they were going about their challenge in the wrong way.

As I thought about it, I realized it was true. Everyone so far had been about to make the wrong decision until I showed up and helped point out what they couldn’t see. To become their voice of reason.

Maybe the labyrinth tricked people into making the wrong decision, and that’s why so many had failed before. It showed its participants what they desired, leading them astray to claim them forever. Those who faced it alone couldn’t see past their desires and failed.

Maybe there was a reason I was appearing in everyone else’s challenges. Maybe it wasn’t an accident, and I was actually supposed to help them.

Or was it to show me I was the same as them? That I was making the wrong choice? But what was my choice about? Julian? Or Enver?

I shook my head. This wasn’t about me right now. I had the chance to help save Morgan from becoming one of Enver’s servants and return an emotion to Enver, and I wouldn’t waste it.

“I understand that desperation for a real relationship, but Morgan, what you are doing could never create one,” I started, keeping my voice kind and blameless. “You are still manipulating Karim. You have to stop feeding on him.”

“Our connection hasn’t formed yet,” Morgan responded, shaking their head. “What if it only takes one more? I can’t…”

“What if one more kills him?” I countered. “What then? Is it really worth it?”

“I’m so tired of feeling lonely,” Morgan whispered, looking at me again. “I just wanted someone to stay by my side. Am I really so evil for wanting that?”

My chest tightened, and I couldn’t help but think of Enver, trapped and alone for so long. I didn’t know how long Morgan had been alone, but I couldn’t imagine their loneliness. If the physical representation in Enver’s castle was anything to go by, I imagined Morgan’s loneliness was just as all-consuming.

But it still wasn’t right to have someone innocent suffer for it.

“You’re not evil, Morgan,” I said softly. “But wouldn’t it be even more lonely if the last memory you have of Karim is him dying?”

Morgan flinched, and a shaky breath left their lips. “I…”

“This isn’t the way, Morgan.”

Karim moaned loudly again before Morgan could respond, his body shuddering, and Morgan bent over him, grabbing his hand and holding it tightly. They dropped to their knees beside the bed. “Karim, I’m so sorry. What have I done to you? I never meant for this to happen. I didn’t want to hurt you. I only wanted to stay near you.”

“Can’t you help him?” I asked them. “Is there no way to return energy to him? ”

Morgan bit their lip, glancing up at me. “I’m not sure. I have heard it’s possible, but it requires taking energy from someone else. I don’t have enough.”

“If I wanted to offer you energy, would we have to have sex?”

“Not necessarily,” Morgan said. “A kiss would suffice in your case.”

“You kissed me earlier, though. You didn’t get energy from that?”

“Well, I thought we would go further, so I was saving it for that.”

I grimaced. I didn’t want to be reminded of that. “Then let’s transfer some of my energy to Karim.”

“Why would you want to help us?” Morgan asked, but pushed themselves to their feet again, gazing at me uncertainly. “What do you get out of being so nice?”

Their question threw me off guard. “What?”

“What’s the point? What do you expect from others if you’re kind to them? Do you think I will love you if you are nice enough to me?”

I went still. “Is that what you think I’m doing?”

“I can’t figure it out based on your desires,” they replied.

“I don’t need an ulterior motive to want to be kind.”

“No,” they agreed, “but most humans do, regardless of whether or not they realize it.”

I opened my mouth to argue but then fell silent as I realized I did have an ulterior motive for helping them—to escape the labyrinth. The same could be said for all the other layers. My actions weren’t purely selfless.

But…

“I do think it’s part of my labyrinth to help others,” I answered truthfully, “but I also just want to help you. Maybe I do expect something in return for being kind sometimes, but I wouldn’t stop being kind even if I never received it. I want to be kind because the world is cruel. I want to be kind because it is the one thing I can do. Everyone deserves kindness. You included.”

Morgan’s eyes were wide and shimmering. “But why…?”

I took a step closer to them. “It must be so difficult to be alone and cut off from everyone else. I understand your desperation for a connection.”

Morgan inhaled softly, and their hand moved to cup my neck. “I know you do.”

“But Morgan, if I help you, you shouldn’t keep doing this to Karim,” I said, making Morgan pause, their face inches from mine. “Don’t make the same mistake twice.”

Their lips trembled, and they nodded. “I know. But I can say the same to you.”

I swallowed. “I know.”

We leaned closer to each other, letting our lips meet. There was no passion in it, only the motions of a chaste kiss. An odd, tugging sensation spread through me, and I could feel the energy being drawn out of me. Morgan pulled away a moment later, moving to Karim and pressing their lips to his.

My head felt light as I watched them, and I wondered how much energy Morgan had extracted from me. I reached for the headboard of the bed to steady myself.

Karim’s eyes snapped open a moment later, and he drew in a sharp breath. Morgan straightened out, watching him. His gaze went to them, and he tried to push himself up into a sitting position. “Morgan? Is that you?”

Morgan froze. “You can see me?”

“Am I dreaming?” he asked, and when Morgan tried to pull their hand away, he grabbed it again, enclosing it within his. “I can feel you.”

“No, you’re not dreaming,” Morgan said, their eyes wide. “You can really see me?”

Karim stroked the back of Morgan’s hand. “Yes. Does this mean all the times you visited me were real?” he asked, his voice weak, eyes scanning over Morgan as if he couldn’t believe they were real. “I had hoped, but everything always felt so foggy after waking up. I thought I was losing my mind. Your touch felt so real. Just like this.”

“How is this possible?” Morgan whispered. “You shouldn’t be able to see me.”

“Well, I’m glad I can,” Karim said with a smile. “I thought I’d never be able to see you if it wasn’t in my dreams.”

Morgan fell back a step, ripping their hand back. “You shouldn’t be happy to see me. I almost killed you.”

“You did?” Karim asked, blinking. He grimaced a bit as he tried to get out of the bed. “I guess I have been feeling weak lately. I thought it was just from a lack of sleep. But, my gods, was it worth it to be able to see you. I haven’t had a single nightmare since you came. I used to be plagued by them every night.”

“Don’t sound thankful to me. I’m not who you think I am,” Morgan said roughly, putting more distance between them.

“I know who you are,” Karim stated, standing on shaky legs, using the bed for support. “You’re Morgan, the one who protects me from my nightmares and gives me the sweetest dreams instead.”

“I took from you. I feed off the dreams I give you.”

“Then we both benefit from them, don’t we?” Karim asked, breathless. “I’m glad. I thought I was being selfish.”

Morgan’s mouth fell open. “What? How? I’m the one being selfish, not you!”

“I prayed you’d visit me every night. I didn’t want you going to others,” Karim responded sheepishly. “I selfishly hoped you would only ever come to me. No one else. I wanted your company all to myself.”

“But I…” Morgan trailed off as Karim tried to take a step forward and nearly collapsed. Morgan quickly caught him, ho lding up his weight. “Hey, don’t try to walk. You’re still weak. You could hurt yourself.”

“Is it okay if I hug you?”

Morgan swallowed audibly before nodding. “Yes.”

Karim wrapped his arms around them, hugging them. “You feel even better when I’m not dreaming. I can’t believe this. Please, let me stay like this for a while. I just want to be near you, nothing more.”

Morgan flushed, and our gazes met. I couldn’t help but smile. Morgan had completed their labyrinth. I didn’t need to see if Enver had received a new emotion or wait for the ruby shard to know it this time.

“Thank you,” Morgan said to me, holding Karim tightly in their arms. “I’m afraid of what I would have done without you.”

“You would have made the right decision,” I said.

Morgan shook their head. “No. I don’t know that I would have.”

A shift in the shadows tucked in the corner of the cabin caught my attention, followed by the familiar burning of the pendant tucked against my chest. “I think it’s time for me to go,” I told Morgan.

“Good luck with your labyrinth,” they said. “I wish I could help.”

“Can you answer a question for me again, then? About Julian. Is it true? Did he never love me?”

Morgan’s face fell, revealing the answer before they spoke. “I don’t want to hurt your feelings.”

“It’s okay,” I said tightly. “I already know now. I hate to admit it, but you’ve helped me open my eyes.”

“I’m sorry, Nell.”

Somehow, hearing Morgan confirm Julian’s feelings didn’t hurt as much as I thought it would. I reached for the pendant, feeling the newly formed piece of ruby and holding onto it, letting it soothe me. It resembled a broken heart now, with the gem filling the setting a little more than halfway. “Thank you, Morgan,” I said as I turned to leave.

“Nell, wait.”

I glanced back at them. “Yes?”

“It is easy to be misled in the labyrinth. And it’s easy for kindness to be taken advantage of. Be careful.”

I nodded, the shadows creeping up on me. “I will.”

“It’s also easy to be misled by feelings,” they added. “Keep that in mind.”

The shadows swarmed over me before I could ask what they meant, and Karim and Morgan were gone.