The sky was a swirling mass of dark clouds, unnatural in their speed, as if the heavens themselves were in turmoil. The wind howled, a prelude to the storm that had been building ever since the Veil had shattered. It was more than just a storm—it was a herald of something far worse, something that had been waiting for the perfect moment to rise.
Selina stood at the edge of the courtyard again, her eyes scanning the horizon. The fortress was quiet now, the soldiers stationed on high alert, awaiting the inevitable. The calm before the storm was suffocating, and no one could shake the feeling that something far more dangerous was coming.
Zane stood beside her, his presence a steady force, but even he couldn’t hide the flicker of worry in his eyes. They had prepared as best as they could, ra
