Tess sighed with relief as Wren took her hands. She had to fight off a tear, or two, as she learned she might not die in some strange basement. Wren could save her, and it seemed like he wanted to. She heard his request. It was doable. She had taken from him in the dream world before. He was essentially asking for the opposite now. Before she harmed him, she heard a key word in what he said regarding Black Philip. She imagined it, Wren only saying, I'm not ready for him. However she added a word that changed everything.
I'm not ready for him... yet.
Her mind raced.
Would he really join me eventually?
Would Wren ever be ready for the master's dark power, his beautiful plan for this world?
Does he care enough about me to further stain himself? Do I even want that from him?
Wren heard it all, and Tess looked away with discomfort. For a dream, this was all too fucking real. With her hands now free, she placed one lovingly on his right forearm.
"I'm sorry."
Wren's arm smoked, and the smell of flesh filled the booth as his arm was burned. The smallest of flames existed in Tess's dream hand, and would leave a mark the size of a quarter. It would never fully heal without magic, but it was a path to her. He could use it to find her captor, and hopefully, free her.