And the thing is—I’ve seen a lot of people cross through. Watched them flicker and fade like dying stars. None of them ever felt likethis. None of them made the Void itself react.
None of them smelled like lightning.
This is different.
This ispower.
I run a hand through my hair, which probably looks like hell by now. Not that there’s anyone around to care.
“Alright, mystery person,” I say to the dark. “Let’s see what you’ve got.”
I start walking toward where the light was.
Probably a terrible idea.
Definitely a terrible idea.
But at least it’ssomething. Best case, I get answers. Worst case, I finally stop walking in circles.
Either way, at least I won’t die bored.
The pull gets stronger with every step, dragging me forward like a current I can’t fight. My pulse kicks up—another thing I’d almost forgotten I could feel.
Then it jerks hard enough to make me stumble.
I catch myself, breathing harder than I should.
Whatever’s out there isn’t just calling me.
It’sdraggingme.
I keep walking. Because what else am I going to do—stay safe?
Chapter 13
Bree
I’m shaking.
Can’t stop.
My hands won’t stay still, my breath won’t even out, and the cold—
It’s not cold. The Void isn’t cold. But I feel it anyway, crawling up my arms from the shadow marks on my wrists.
I try to rub them off.
They don’t move.
I scrub harder, nails digging in, but the shadow justsits therelike it’s part of my skin now.
Like he marked me.
Claimedme.
I almost said yes.
The thought hits and I double over, pressing my forehead to my knees.
