Rowan’s POV
The skeletal shadow towered above them, its hollow body stitched from countless writhing specters. Bones that weren’t bones cracked and reformed with every movement, as if the creature was being born over and over from the abyss itself. Its chest was a cavernous void, and from deep inside that hollow cage came a sound—like a heartbeat that wasn’t a heartbeat at all, slow and suffocating, pulsing with dread.
Rowan clung to Quinn’s hand, his knuckles white. He wanted to be brave. He wanted to be fire. But as he looked up at the titan, all he felt was small. Smaller than ever.
The creature leaned down, and its skull split in a grin too wide, too knowing. From its mouth came not a roar—but words.
“You can’t carry it, little Vessel.”
Rowan froze, breath trapped in his chest. Th
