The gate was calling for her.
The words wouldn't leave.
They followed Elira out of the tent.
Through the camp.
Into the darkness.
Into every breath.
Every heartbeat.
Every thought.
The gate is opening because it is calling for you.
No.
It couldn't be.
It shouldn't be.
Yet something deep inside her knew the Oracle wasn't lying.
That was the worst part.
Not fear.
Recognition.
As if some forgotten piece of her had been waiting to hear those words.
Waiting to remember.
Sleep never came.
The camp settled into uneasy silence around her, but Elira remained awake.
The mountains loomed beyond the trees.
Black against the starlit sky.
Watching.
Waiting.
Calling.
The sensation made her skin crawl.
She wrapped her arms around herself.
Cold.
Gods.
Why was she so cold?
A fi
