ZEKE's POV
"Master. Master." The voice called out again, soft but insistent. It was Zilthar. I struggled to open my eyes, but the harsh ray of light stabbing through my eyelids was unbearable. A sharp, burning pain throbbed at the base of my neck, forcing a low groan from my lips. I squeezed my eyes shut, hoping the pain would ease, but it only grew worse. My entire body felt heavy—unnaturally heavy—as if some unseen force was pressing down on me.
"Good thing you're awake," Zilthar said, relief clear in his voice. Slowly, I opened my eyes and realized I was back in my room, though the events leading to this moment were shrouded in fog. I tried to piece together what had happened, why I had slept for so long, and what had caused the stabbing pain in my neck—but my memory offered nothing.
"What happened?" I finally managed to ask, my voice hoarse. Zilthar stood before me, his usual calm replaced by an unusual urgency. A small, uneasy smile played on his lips.
