LILA’S POV
“Daughter.”
The word shattered the world.
For a moment, no one moved.
No one breathed.
Even the wind seemed to disappear from the forest.
Thousands of wolves, warriors, and creatures stood frozen as the Devourer’s voice echoed across the clearing.
Deep.
Ancient.
Terrifying.
My heart slammed painfully against my ribs.
Because that word—daughter—had not been spoken like a threat.
It had been spoken like recognition.
Like truth.
Marcus’s grip on my arm tightened.
“What the hell did it just say?”
His voice sounded distant, like it was coming from underwater.
Because my mind was spinning.
Daughter.
The Devourer slowly lifted its massive head.
Its burning crimson eyes locked onto mine again.
Not with hunger.
Not with rage.
But with something far more unsettling.
