“What are you?” Zoe asked, her voice steady despite the whirlwind of emotions rising within her. She felt a strange connection to this dormant part of herself, a bond that seemed to hum faintly in the background of her thoughts.
Her wolf growled again, stepping protectively in front of her as the dark tendrils around the vampire tree began to stir, snaking toward the base of the statue-like figure. Zoe narrowed her eyes, her instincts flaring as she summoned the golden energy of her Aetherian side. She knelt, placing one hand on the ground, and sent a wave of light rippling outward. The tendrils recoiled, retreating temporarily, but she knew they wouldn’t stay away for long.
“I need you,” Zoe said softly, her gaze fixed on the figure. “You’re part of me. Without you, I’m not whole. I don
