The silence in the Nexus chamber was absolute, but Ethan could feel the shadow breathing.
It had been months since the battle with the Sleeping Shadow, months since Kael had carried his consciousness into the City of Shadows and bound the ancient darkness. The world had healed, the barriers had held, and peace had settled over the land like a warm blanket.
But the shadow was still there. Ethan could feel it, lurking at the edges of his awareness, a cold presence that never quite faded. It was contained, bound by his power, but it was not destroyed. And it was patient.
"You're thinking about it again," Viktor said, his voice echoing in the chamber. "I can see it in your eyes."
Ethan's consciousness reached out, touching Viktor's mind. "I can't stop thinking about it. The shadow is still
