The night seemed to thicken around them, the air growing heavier, almost charged. The steady hum of traffic from the road continued, but it felt distant now, like it belonged to another world entirely. Kafziel’s body suddenly stiffened beside Aniela, his grip tightening slightly around the empty cup in his hand.
His eyes widened.
He inhaled sharply, as if the air had been knocked from his lungs.
“There—” he whispered. “Don’t you see that?”
Aniela frowned, following his gaze instinctively. The road was still there. Cars passed. Headlights flashed. Nothing looked out of place. “See what?” she asked carefully, her voice low, cautious, as though speaking too loudly might shatter something fragile.
Kafziel lifted a hand to his head, fingers pressing into his temple. His brows knit together
