The barrier rippled in the distance, strange colors twisting in the sky, creating patterns that shifted and moved as if they were alive, but Valdis kept her eyes on Miles, afraid that whatever nightmare she had experienced would return. His heart raced as quickly as hers did, a remnant of their own adrenaline which she could almost scent on the air.

"Death magic," she whispered, worried that the mere mention of it might make it come back or give the darkness strength. Valdis felt half present, as if part of her still slept or stayed within a dream state, a state in which the nightmare held power. "He wants to control it. To control me. I can't let him. I can't go back."

Her voice went higher and higher, her fear outweighing her logic.

"Don't let me go back."