The first night nearly broke him.
The hunger wasn't of the body but of the mind. Dreams twisted into voices—his brother, the woman, the Choir, even his own reflection. Each demanded something. Each promised power in exchange.
Adrian woke drenched in sweat, his fingernails bloody where he had clawed the walls.
The second night, he almost obeyed. The Seal coaxed him to slit the throat of a beggar in the Blind Quarter. Just one life, it whispered, and the pain would ease. He pressed the knife against his palm instead, forcing the blood to flow without killing. The hunger receded for a moment, but the whispers laughed.
On the third night, lanterns burned outside his window—silver light, the Choir's patrols. They were searching. They knew.
Adrian nearly fled. Nearly begged them to take it away. But then he remembered the woman's words: "Every voice that whispers wants to own you. Learn which to obey. Learn which to silence."
He endured.
When dawn finally broke, the Seal shifted within him—not weaker, but calmer. It felt like chains settling more firmly around his bones. But also… something unlocked.(im sorry if this is too little im a lil busy with work ,ill upload two chapters tmr😔)