Aurenya’s POV
The white didn’t fade gently.
It snapped.
Like something cutting a thread inside my mind.
I stumbled back into my body with a sharp gasp, collapsing onto the cabin floor.
Cold wood.
Smoke.
Noise.
Too much noise.
“Aurenya!”
Rhydan’s voice hit first.
Then Kaelor.
Then Lyssara.
Hands grabbed me instantly, steadying me before I could fully fall.
But I couldn’t focus on any of them.
Because the words were still in my head.
Seal keeper.
Warning.
My breathing came too fast.
Too shallow.
“What did he do to you?” Rhydan demanded.
I shook my head quickly.
“I don’t— I don’t know—”
But I was lying.
Not to them.
To myself.
Because something had changed.
I could feel it.
Deep under my skin.
Like a door that had been locked for years had just… shifted.
Not open
