We didn't sleep.
The black circle on my wrist burned beneath the bandage, pulsing with every beat of my heart. Every time it flared, I felt something beneath the earth answer it.
Not a voice.
Not words.
Just... awareness.
Like the Hollow knew exactly where I was.
Draven hadn't let go of my hand since we left the ridge.
Even now, lying beside me in the darkness, his fingers remained laced with mine.
Too tight.
I could feel the fear through our bond.
Raw.
Constant.
He wasn't afraid of dying.
He was afraid of losing me.
Neither of us spoke for a long time.
Finally, he broke the silence.
"You're burning."
"So are you."
I turned toward him until our foreheads touched.
"We'll figure this out."
A tired smile crossed his face.
"We have to."
His thumb brushed over my wrist bef
