The world beyond the arch was silent.
Not the kind of silence that came from peace—this one was heavy, suffocating, like a blanket pressed over the land.
The air smelled of old magic.
Seraphina’s skin prickled as she stepped onto ground that was neither stone nor earth but something in between, a blackened surface that pulsed faintly under her boots.
“This is the heart,” Eira said quietly. “It feeds on every shadow we bring into it.”
Nadia’s jaw flexed. “Let’s make it choke.”
Rowan grunted his agreement, spear raised.
Darius’ golden eyes swept the vast, open clearing ahead. “If Kael’s alive, he’s here.”
Seraphina’s fingers tightened on her dagger. Her heart thudded against her ribs, the pendant at her neck warm as if it too could feel Kael’s nearness.
She took a step forward—then
