The tendril of shadow, faint but potent, seeped into Ines' body like smoke curling into her veins.
Her golden eyes flickered, hardening into something cold and dangerous.
It was as if a different person had awoken within her, one who carried no warmth, nor compassion.
Inside, Ines panicked.
She felt the wisp of darkness clawing at the edges of her mind, whispering promises of strength, of release, of liberation from every chain that bound her.
She clenched her teeth, dragging at it with every ounce of will she had, trying to stuff it back into the iron chamber of her heart before it consumed her.
But outwardly, the effect was undeniable.
Her power spiked, the mana streaming from her palm surging with new ferocity.
It flowed into Noah's body like a tide crashing against rocks.
Noah stiffened in surprise, his lips curling into a faint, intrigued smile.
"What's this?" he murmured under his breath.
He responded instinctively, pressing back against her invading mana.
