For a moment, there was only the quiet.
No ancient howls.
No magic clawing at the stone.
No gods, no ghosts, no Garrick screaming into the void.
Just the sound of Rowan’s breath against Quinn’s shoulder. Fast. Shallow.
And the weight of his last whispered words echoing like thunder:
“There’s someone else still here.”
Quinn stilled. His hand pressed to Rowan’s spine, instinctively scenting him, as if his nose could decipher what his mind couldn't.
“Someone else?” Jace asked, his voice hoarse, broken open by everything they'd just faced. He limped closer, one hand gripping his ribs.
Rowan nodded into Quinn’s shirt, his small fingers curling tightly into the fabric like he was afraid if he let go, the world would break again.
“I thought it was Kaelen,” Rowan whispered. “But now he’s
