She keeps dreaming of the forest again, and she never gets there before waking up.
Rose is always aware Alice isn't with her - aware that she would be with her. She always knows where to go. She wakes up when she meets the treeline. It's been a week now, and she's tempted to go back to sleep not to relive the dream any longer, but to try and actually stay asleep. She stares at the ceiling, desperately waiting to nod off.
The ceiling is gone, she's at the treeline, and the lizard is there. Her breath catches in her throat, she's about to lunge, and the lizard just gives a pitiful expression as the werewolf drops down to her claws. Rose's eyes flick back further in the forest - she doesn't know why, she wishes she knew why - and sees Alice.
She walks past the treeline, vanishes into her bed, and crumples, burying her muzzle in her paws. She doesn't bother to shift back, just waiting for sleep to take her again, and soon, she's at the treeline again, the assassin waiting for her.
Alice is closer behind the lizard now, but still beyond the treeline. Rose doesn't understand why.
"I don't have much time, so I need you here," The assassin speaks up, eliciting a growl from Rose. "I'm sorry. You were bait in a plan that's gone far off its rails. The Hive King and Olaichtyn is the next pair of jokers pulled into this, and the town you're in is about to be swarmed by Mjilikae."
"Why are you telling me this?" Rose narrows her eyes, watching carefully as Alice gives a slow nod of approval in the assassin's direction.
"I need you to do a deal with me, and if I'm making deals to get my life back, I'm going to want you alive."
Rose only gives a puzzled look in response, unused to guardians and their dealings. The assassin guardian gives a weary chuckle.
"Let's negotiate a hit," The assassin gives a toothy grin.