Marin followed Averic through a narrow passage that seemed to stretch endlessly. Every step made her stomach twist with a mix of fear and exhilaration. She had faced shadows, learned to sense them, but this… this felt different. The tension in the air was heavier, electric.
"They've been waiting," Averic said, his silver eyes scanning the fog ahead. "The Obsidian Hunters. Cruel, relentless. They don't just want me—they want you too."
Marin froze. "Me? Why me?"
"Because you're tied to me, and because they know what your presence can do. Your blood… your heart… it's a beacon. And it's dangerous for all of us if they reach you first."
A sudden rustle echoed ahead. From the mist, figures emerged—tall, dark, their eyes glinting like shards of ice. Marin's heart thudded violently. She wanted to turn and run, but Averic's presence beside her was like a magnet, pulling her forward, anchoring her.
"Stay close," he instructed, his hand brushing hers. The touch was cold, yet it sent a jolt straight through her chest. She could feel the tether again—the invisible thread connecting them. Fear mingled with something she couldn't name… a pull, a yearning, a dangerous curiosity.