“Brother.”
The word echoed across the mountains.
Across the forest.
Across the clearing.
As if the world itself carried it.
The massive black hand tightened around the crack in reality.
Silver light exploded outward.
The sky split wider.
Everyone shielded their eyes.
Everyone except Liam.
He stood perfectly still.
Golden eyes fixed on the growing tear.
On the hand.
On the thing trying to emerge.
Denise felt the bond trembling.
Not from fear.
From recognition.
The thing beyond the Gate wasn’t a stranger.
Not to Liam.
Not to the memories awakening inside him.
The voice came again.
Warm.
Almost affectionate.
“I’ve missed you.”
The contrast made it worse.
Far worse.
There was no rage.
No hatred.
No madness.
Only calm certainty.
The certainty of someone who had alr
