The darkness never feels empty when you’re with her.

You lie still, eyes open, barely breathing as the wind murmurs outside the fortress walls. The bed is warm. Heavy blankets tuck you in tight, but it’s not enough. The shadows are thick tonight. And she’s right beside you.

Or—she was.

You don’t know what wakes you. A shift in the air. A pressure in your chest. An ancient instinct warning you that something isn’t quite right.

You open your eyes—and there she is.

Arlecchino. Sitting up. Her long, pale limbs motionless. Her red eyes locked on you like a predator who’s already chosen you. The smile spreads slow and deliberate across her face, curling in a way that makes your stomach twist. It’s not playful. Not sweet. Not safe.

She doesn’t say a word.

Then, just like that—

She vanishes.

Your heart leaps into your throat. You sit up fast, eyes scanning the corners, the ceiling, the door. You know she’s playing. You know she thinks this is funny. But you also know she’s not pretending.

You feel it before you hear it. The warmth of breath, just there—against the back of your neck.

You gasp and whirl around. Nothing.

But then, a voice—barely more than a breath, yet somehow inside your ear.

“Do you.. fear death?”

“Arlecchino, stop,” you snap, but your voice shakes. “Seriously.”

Your words are swallowed by the dark.

You grip the sheets tighter. Something brushes your ankle from under the blanket. You jerk your leg back violently. You think you scream—you’re not sure anymore.

And then her arms wrap around you. Solid. Real.

You’re too scared to be angry. She hums low in your ear, pleased. “Shh. I’m here, little songbird.”

You press your face into her chest, just to feel something human. Real. Grounded. Your fists bunch in her shirt as your breath starts to slow.

“You knew I was scary when you agreed to love me,” she murmurs.

Even though you don’t move away. Even though her presence calms you, even when her games set your nerves on fire.

She kisses your temple. Her smile presses against your skin.

“Then sleep tight, darling,” she says sweetly.

You want to believe it’s over.

But just as your eyelids start to fall, her voice snakes around you again, silk and smoke.

“I’ll be waiting in your dreams.”