Darkness. An endless abyss of cold, choking emptiness. I could feel nothing, not the ground beneath me nor the wind on my face. The only sensation was the haunting echo of Kieran’s shout reverberating through the void, pulling me back toward the surface of consciousness.
Slowly, painfully, I began to wake. My body felt heavy, like I was being dragged through thick mud. My heart was pounding, my pulse erratic as if I’d run for miles, and yet I hadn’t moved. My mind struggled to grasp what had just happened, the memory of the Keeper’s attack hazy.
“Aylin,” a familiar voice murmured, pulling me back to reality.
Kieran. His voice was the lifeline I needed, and I clawed toward it, forcing my eyes open. Light flooded my vision, too bright at first, but then his face came into focus. Kieran wa
