CHAPTER 86

XAVIER'S POV

I tossed and turned but just couldn't find the right position. A lingering haze of sleep sat somewhere at the back of my mind but was too far away to reach, floating in the pool of my memories.

Icy discomfort blossomed in my chest and made it difficult for me to breathe. Trying to make myself fall into slumber, I took as deep breaths as I could, but many just caught in my throat, like an icy wind had blown down there and managed to freeze the air solid. At that moment, I knew this was going to be a long night.

I pulled up my duvet and rolled toward the darker side of the room. The blinds shut out most of the winter night, but still, on the opposite wall, there were rectangles of light projecting from the gaps. I watched them turn from the natural white to the artificial yellow glow of the streetlamp. I tossed from one side to the other, my bed that had been so carefully made, became a tangle of covers.