Chapter 53
Ariana felt the answer before she understood it.
Not what.
Who.
The feeling stayed in her chest, quiet but heavy, like something had been waiting for her to finally ask the right question.
Her fingers remained lifted in front of her.
The golden light hovered just beneath her skin, steady and warm.
But the deeper current had changed.
It was no longer hiding beneath the surface.
It had risen.
And it was no longer moving against her.
It was moving with her.
That was what made her uneasy.
Ariana lowered her hand slowly.
"No," she whispered.
But the word did not carry the same strength as before.
Because part of her was still listening.
The space around her remained silent, but not empty. It felt aware in a way she could not ignore, as if everything here was waiting for her to respond.
"You felt it."
The voice came from in front of her.
Ariana lifted her head.
