Ethan Storm’s Dark Awakening novel Chapter 20

Alice shot up with a strangled scream, drenched in sweat, her chest heaving. Her eyes darted wildly around the unfamiliar room, panic swelling in her throat. The cream-colored walls, the expensive chandelier above, the silken sheets against her bare skin—

Bare?

She looked down, horrified to find herself completely naked under the covers. A sob broke from her lips.

“No, no, no, please—no…” she whimpered, clutching the blanket to her chest as she trembled. The last thing she remembered was Martin’s twisted grin, his hand grabbing her throat, the sound of Ethan’s voice shouting in the distance…

She curled into herself, sobbing.

Did he…? Did Martin…?

The door creaked open.

Alice’s instincts kicked in. Her eyes snapped to the nightstand, where a sleek lamp sat. In one swift motion, she grabbed it, holding it above her head like a weapon.

“Stay back!” she cried out, her voice shaky.

The figure in the doorway paused. “Alice—it’s me.”

Her breath caught. Ethan.

She blinked, confused, trembling all over.

“Ethan…?”

He stepped in slowly, hands raised in a calming gesture, his eyes soft but alert. “You’re safe now. It’s over. Martin is dead. All of them are gone.”

Alice’s grip loosened, the lamp slipping from her hands onto the bed. “What… what do you mean gone?”

“I mean I took care of it,” Ethan said quietly. “You never have to see those monsters again. You’re safe, Alice. I swear it.”

Her lower lip trembled, eyes wide and dazed. “You… saved me?”

Ethan nodded once.

And then—she was in his arms.

Without thinking, Alice leapt from the bed and threw herself at him, the blanket forgotten as it slipped off. Her arms wrapped tightly around his neck, her face buried in his shoulder, tears soaking his shirt.

Ethan stiffened.

His face went red.

“Ahem… Alice,” he said softly, clearing his throat.

“Mhm?” she murmured, refusing to let go.

“You’re, uh… still naked.”

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