She looked away, unable to handle the thought that she could not prevent what was about to happen; convinced this was just another vision – just another person she could not save. Sapphire stepped backwards in an attempt to gather herself but stumbled over a large rock, almost falling over.

The girl closed her book quickly at the noise, jumping to her feet and frantically searching until her eyes found Sapphire. Although her face showed fear and intrigue, her features were elegant and Sapphire admired how lovely she was. But when she met the girl’s eyes, she was taken aback by the sight of irises that burned red like the embers of a dying flame.

With her book clutched tightly to her chest, the girl took a careful step towards Sapphire.

Panic.

Sapphire knew her visions well. They came at all times of the day and night. She had adjusted, memorized them. But this … this was not like what she knew. Never once had a victim approached her. Sapphire stepped back, feeling for her dagger. She blinked a few times, attempting to adjust to the hot sun on the back of her neck, the warm breeze that felt so foreign to her.

‘Who are you?’ The girl’s voice was steady and calm.

Sapphire did not want to answer.

‘What are you doing here?’

The girl’s lips twitched, and she gave a heavy sigh when Sapphire refused to answer her.

‘I’m Evera.’ She closed the distance between them by a few inches. ‘Now, can you please tell me your name? What you’re doing out here … dressed like that? Anything?’

Sapphire took a deep breath before speaking.

‘That all depends.’

‘On?’ Evera pressed, intrigue instantly overcoming her caution.

‘On where exactly I am right now.’

Evera’s expression shifted, but she held her ground.

‘You are in the fields of Aleburn.’

‘Aleburn?’

‘Yes. The southwest territory.’

‘Of what?’

‘The kingdom of Eriobis, surely.’

‘Er-e-oh-bis? I’ve never heard of it.’

Evera gave a deep, shaky breath before taking a few steps forward. Her face was pinched in a frown, but her mouth fell slack as she met Sapphire’s eyes.

‘What?’ Sapphire positioned herself to fight, her fingers dancing on the hilt of the dagger.

‘Your … your eyes. They’re …’ Evera paused. ‘Where exactly are you from?’

‘Witrotean.’

‘I’ve never heard of such a place.’

Evera shook her head, and now it was Sapphire’s turn to feel overwhelmed. A sharp pain split her palm, and she looked at the scar that ran across it, red and risen.

She needed this vision to end.

She reached out for the girl’s hand, hoping that contact would bring the nightmare to a close just like it had before. But in the blink of an eye, a flame erupted from Evera’s palm.