Luxiana Sommeris“Stop messing around. You claimed me like you had an endless reserve of energy just waiting to be unleashed,” I teased, my voice carrying a mix of amusement and exasperation.Damien let out a deep, rich laugh, his stormy blue eyes gleaming with mischief. “I want more of you, Xiana. You’re everything I desire, and yet, I can't seem to get enough. If I had it my way, I’d have you again and again, every moment of every day.”A warm flush crept up my neck as I playfully smacked his shoulder. “Stop it, you're making me blush,” I giggled, trying to suppress the shy smile tugging at my lips.His gaze softened as he took my hands in his, giving them a gentle squeeze before murmuring, “We have a long night ahead of us, but I think my favorite part will be what happens inside that room.” He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively, a teasing smirk playing on his lips. “But first, let’s have dinner.”The moment we stepped outside, the mouthwatering aroma of something savory filled the
Luxiana SommerisDamien’s smirk never faded as he brushed his thumb over my lower lip, his dark eyes locked onto mine. The warmth of his touch sent a delicious shiver down my spine, and I knew there was no turning back. The air between us crackled with anticipation, thick and intoxicating.“Come with me,” he murmured his voice a rich, velvety whisper that wrapped around me like silk.He didn’t need to ask twice. My fingers laced with his, and he led me through the dimly lit corridor, each step sending my pulse racing. The world outside faded into nothing—just the two of us, drawn together by something undeniable, something deeper than desire.The bedroom door shut softly behind us, sealing us away in the quiet intimacy of the moment. The glow of the bedside lamp cast golden light across the room, flickering over the planes of his face, highlighting the intensity in his eyes as he turned to me.He reached for me, his hands finding my waist, pulling me closer until our bodies brushed
Luxiana SommerisI arrived at work that morning feeling surprisingly refreshed. The events of last night in the dream realm had been exhilarating—an experience so vivid and thrilling that I wanted to relive it over and over again.After grabbing a quick breakfast, I headed straight to the library, only to find a group of employees gathered in hushed murmurs around something. Their expressions ranged from shock to deep concern.Curious, I stepped closer. “What’s going on?” I asked, tilting my head as I tried to peek over their shoulders. “Did something happen?”One of the senior staff members, Sir Davis, turned to me with a grim expression. “Oh, Luxiana, you need to see this,” he said, handing me a tablet. “It’s about the company Anton transferred to. Most of their employees were found dead—victims of severe nightmares. The survivors have been hospitalized.”My breath caught in my throat. “What?” I gasped, “Is Anton okay?” Without waiting for an answer, I pushed my way forward to see f
Luxiana SommerisWe placed our orders, choosing our drinks first before adding an assortment of savory pastries to the list. The café was warm, filled with the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee and buttery baked goods. The soft hum of conversation blended with the occasional clink of porcelain cups and the low whirr of the espresso machine.As we waited, I found myself watching Anton. There was something about him—an odd sense of detachment, as if he were present in body but not entirely in spirit. He smiled politely while speaking to Margaret, his voice even, his posture relaxed, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that it was all a carefully crafted façade.He didn’t seem distressed by the situation—the fact that his new workplace was barely functioning without its employees, the fact that people had died. Or maybe, I considered, he was doing his best to cope, forcing normalcy upon himself to keep from unraveling.Margaret, on the other hand, didn’t seem to share his calm exterior
Luxiana SommerisWhen we finally stumbled upon a coffee shop, we stepped inside, relieved to find the warmth of the café embracing us. The air carried the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee, mingling with the faint scent of vanilla and cinnamon. The place wasn’t crowded—hardly anyone was here, which wasn’t surprising considering it was nearly midnight.Soft, ambient music played in the background, a gentle piano melody that filled the otherwise quiet space. Dim yellow lights bathed the wooden tables in a golden glow, creating a cozy, intimate atmosphere. A few customers sat scattered around, some engrossed in their laptops, others lost in their own world, sipping their drinks silently.Anton and I approached the counter, placing our orders. The barista, a tired-looking young woman with a ponytail, worked swiftly, her movements practiced as she poured steamed milk into a cup and drizzled caramel over the foam. Moments later, she handed me my caramel macchiato, its warmth seeping in
Luxiana SommerisThe next day at work, I was relieved that everything was peaceful. The steady rhythm of the library, the faint rustling of pages, and the quiet hum of the computers created a familiar sense of calm. There were no unexpected disruptions, no sudden chaos—just the usual serenity that made this place feel like a sanctuary.And yet, a lingering sense of disappointment tugged at me. I had hoped to see Damien in the realm last night, even if only for a brief moment. It wasn’t unusual for us to miss each other sometimes, but I couldn’t help feeling a little let down. He better make it up to me later.Shaking off my thoughts, I forced myself to focus on work. I had responsibilities here, and I wasn’t about to let my personal feelings distract me. I immersed myself in checking the book rental schedules, my eyes scanning the due dates and borrower names with precision.So engrossed was I in my task that I didn’t notice someone staring at me until I felt the weight of their ga
Luxiana SommerisAfter our conversation, we spent what felt like hours wrapped in each other's arms, basking in the warmth of our bare skin pressed together, as if trying to memorize every inch of each other. Now, we lay entangled on the bed, fingers lazily intertwined, tracing invisible patterns against each other’s skin. It was a quiet, intimate moment, yet my mind refused to settle.Despite the lingering worries swirling inside me—the uncertainty of what lay ahead, the weight of everything we had been through—one thought anchored itself in my mind, unwavering and insistent. It had been there for days, waiting for the right moment to surface. And now, with Damien beside me, his presence as tangible as the rise and fall of my breath, I finally allowed myself to give voice to it.I swallowed, pushing past the sudden tightness in my throat. “Damien?” I murmured, my voice softer than I intended.His gaze flickered to mine immediately, the deep crimson of his eyes glowing faintly in th
Luxiana SommerisThe first thing I felt was the cool caress of air against my skin, followed by the soft, familiar texture of sheets beneath my fingertips. My head was heavy, my limbs sluggish, as though I had been pulled from the depths of an ocean, weighed down by something unseen. My breath came slow, shallow, as the remnants of a dream clung to me like mist, refusing to let go.I forced my eyes open, my vision hazy before the world sharpened into focus. The dim glow of my bedside lamp bathed the room in warm light. My room. The waking world. I was back.For a fleeting moment, dread settled in my chest like a stone. Had I failed? Had I woken up alone, everything I had fought for slipping through my fingers like sand? My pulse pounded in my ears, an unbearable silence stretching between the seconds. But then, I heard breathing.Deep, steady, but it was not mine. My body went rigid. I turned my head, my heartbeat slamming against my ribs.And there he was. Damien lay beside me, his
Luxiana SommerisAs I gathered my things, stuffing my notebook into my bag and adjusting the strap on my shoulder, my eyes flickered to my phone screen for what felt like the hundredth time. Still no response from Anton. A quiet sigh escaped my lips, my thumb hovering over our last conversation, debating whether to send another message when a gentle but sudden tap on my back made me jolt.I turned around, only to be met by Margaret’s knowing smirk. Her arms crossed over her chest, and her eyebrow quirked in playful curiosity.“So,” she began, her voice laced with amusement, “do you have any plans after work? Or are you just going home to daydream about your mysterious boyfriend?”I laughed, shaking my head as I tightened the strap of my bag. “Actually, I want to check up on Anton,” I admitted, my voice softer now. "He went to my house yesterday.”Margaret’s eyes widened dramatically, her mouth parting slightly as though I had just unveiled a long-kept, scandalous secret. Her fingers
Luxiana SommerisI bit the inside of my cheeks, struggling to suppress the laughter still bubbling inside me. But even as we messed around, as the air between us filled with lighthearted banter and the familiar pull of unspoken words, a weight settled deep in my chest.I knew. We both knew.Our time here—this fleeting moment in the waking world—was slipping through our fingers like grains of sand. Reality was calling, tugging insistently at the edges of consciousness, and no matter how much we laughed or tried to fill the air with nonsense and playful bickering, the inevitable truth remained: I would wake up soon without him by my side.For now, though, I let myself forget. I let myself savor the warmth of his touch, the way his fingers lingered just a second too long, like he memorized the feel of my skin beneath his. I let myself get lost in the mischievous gleam in his eyes, in the sound of his voice when he said my name, in the way he acted as if we had all the time in the world
Luxiana SommerisA lot has happened today. The weight of it pressed down on us, thick and unrelenting, even as we sought solace in the small comforts of routine. The warm water of the bath soothed aching muscles, yet my mind remained restless, submerged in the whirlpool of unspoken fears and unanswered questions.I should be thinking about them—the souls lost in their nightmares, the ones I could save if only I tried harder. But all I could think about was him.Damien.The thought of him made my chest tighten with something dangerously close to guilt. Not because I had done something wrong, but because I knew—deep down—that I was being selfish. My abilities weren’t meant for just one person. I could pull countless souls from the brink and bring light to those drowning in darkness.I had done so little for the people of this world. A few saved lives weren’t enough. Not when I had the power to do more. Not when I could be so much more. But how could I give pieces of myself away when,
Luxiana SommerisThe soft crunch of gravel beneath our shoes was the only sound accompanying us as we strolled back home, ice cream cones in hand. The air was warm, carrying the faint scent of rain from earlier in the afternoon, and I found myself humming a lighthearted tune, trying to shake off the remnants of our earlier conversation. The sweetness of the vanilla on my tongue was comforting, melting slowly as I licked at it absentmindedly. Damien walked beside me, quiet but present, the way he always was when he sensed I needed space to think.Just as I turned the corner leading to my house, I caught sight of someone sitting on the porch. The dim glow of the streetlight above barely illuminated their figure, but the familiarity of it made me pause.“Someone’s there…” Damien murmured beside me, his voice low, cautious. I squinted, my steps slowing. My heart gave a small, surprised lurch when I recognized the person. “Anton?” My voice came out barely above a whisper. My grip on my
Luxiana SommerisI trailed off, unable to finish the sentence. The words felt heavy, like they didn’t belong to me. How could I say them with a straight face? Lying to Margaret had been difficult enough, but spinning an entire backstory? That was something else entirely.Margaret wasn’t just my friend—she was my second mother after my grandmother died. She was the one who had taken care of me when grief had threatened to swallow me whole. The one who made sure I ate, who listened to my worries, who reminded me that I wasn’t alone in the world. I owed her honesty. I wanted to tell her the truth. But what truth could I possibly offer?That I met Damien in a dream? That he wasn’t just a man, but an incubus, a creature of the night who existed in the space between reality and slumber?No. That would only confuse her. It would sound absurd—impossible. I pressed my lips together, my fingers tightening around my cup.“Before we knew it, we started looking forward to speaking to each other
Luxiana SommerisThe moment we reached a safe place—a dimly lit café in a quiet alleyway—I finally let out the breath I had been holding. My heart still pounded in my chest, the encounter replaying in my mind like a feverish dream. I placed a cold bottle of water in front of Damien, watching as his hands trembled slightly when he reached for it. “So that was a grim reaper?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. For a grim reaper, he looks painfully normal.Damien ran a hand through his dark, tousled hair, frantically massaging his scalp as if trying to rub away the tension building inside him. His jaw was set tight, and a crease had formed between his brows, making him look more troubled than I had ever seen him before.“Yes,” he exhaled, gripping the bottle but making no move to drink from it. “As I told you, there are risks in bringing me here.”The weight of his words pressed against my chest, but before I could speak, he continued. “We can’t bring death into the waking worl
Luxiana SommerisThe streets buzzed with life, a mixture of hurried footsteps, distant chatter, and the occasional car honk filling the air. The sun was warm against my skin, casting golden hues over the city buildings, making the windows glisten like scattered diamonds.Damien walked beside me unhurriedly, his fingers still loosely laced with mine. He didn’t seem overwhelmed by the liveliness of the city, but rather, fascinated by it. His gaze flickered from storefronts to passing pedestrians, his lips occasionally parting as if he wanted to ask something but decided against it.I watched him from the corner of my eye, curiosity gnawing at me. He looked at everything with quiet awe—that reminded me of how different we were.“What do you think about the city? Do you like it?” I finally asked, nudging him slightly with my shoulder.He hummed, a thoughtful sound. “It’s lively,” he admitted. “There’s a certain… warmth to it.”I let out a soft laugh before pulling him toward a street ve
Luxiana Sommeris“So, this is where you work?” Damien mused as we came to a stop outside the city library. His stormy blue eyes scanned the grand structure before us, his lips curving into an intrigued smile. “It’s huge.”I followed his gaze, taking in the towering stone building I had come to know so well. The carved pillars, the intricate arched windows, and the massive double doors leading inside stood proudly, a testament to the history within. The early morning light bathed the library in a golden hue, and a soft breeze rustled the trees lining the sidewalk, carrying the faint scent of old books and fresh ink.“Yeah, this is the city library,” I said, my voice laced with fondness. “We have one of the largest collections in the country—almost every book you could imagine.” I inhaled deeply, already able to picture the familiar rows of bookshelves, the worn wooden tables, and the quiet rustle of pages turning.Damien tilted his head slightly, amused. “You really love this place.”
Luxiana SommerisWhen I woke up the following day, my entire body ached in ways I had never experienced before. A deep soreness settled into my muscles, making even the simple act of shifting beneath the sheets feel challenging. It was as if every fiber of my being remembered Damien’s touch, his kisses, the way his hands had explored me so thoroughly that now, even the ghost of his touch made me shiver.I blinked a few times, my vision adjusting to the soft morning light filtering through the curtains. A quiet, heavy stillness surrounded me, one that immediately told me something was missing. My eyes roamed the room, taking in the familiar details—the books stacked haphazardly on my nightstand, the thin trail of moonlight still lingering from the early hours of dawn, the faint imprint on the pillow beside me.But he was gone. A strange hollowness settled in my chest. I had known, logically, that he wouldn’t be able to stay forever. My power had limits, after all. No matter how bad