Amara’s heart pounded in her chest as her fading consciousness flickered, teetering on the edge of oblivion. Her body was heavy, her breaths shallow and strained, but something—someone—was pulling her back. The light in the corner of the room grew brighter, and more vibrant until it almost blotted out the darkness that had closed in around her.
Her mother’s face, so familiar and yet strange in its glowing form, swam into view. The woman who had disappeared years ago, leaving Amara with nothing but aching memories, was now standing before her, radiating power in a way that left Amara breathless. This was no ordinary woman. This was someone who carried the weight of untold power, an energy so pure it made Amara’s heart race with a mixture of awe and fear.
“Get away from my daughter,” her m
