A Different Approach (2/2)

At the sound of his name, a flash of golden topaz brightened the shadow-stained garnet of Wren's irises, a moment of clarity there and gone so quickly, Rowan almost thought he'd imagined it.

But any hope Rowan might have felt vanished just as quickly when Wren's mask of detachment suddenly crumbled, and his beautiful face contorted with grief instead. He doubled over in the chair, hands clutching his chest.

"My name…it's gone." Wren sobbed as he clawed at the skin exposed by the loose collar of his shirt. "What will I do now?"

He sucked in a gasping breath as if trying to keep himself from suffocating. A wave of Disorder rolled off him, telling Rowan that he wasn't present even though he'd spoken.

"Wren, stop." Rowan's tone was firm as he grabbed Wren's wrists. "You're going to hurt yourself."