Chapter 55
It did not wait.
The moment the fear spread through the space, the darkness above moved.
Not slowly.
Not carefully.
It came down.
The pressure hit Ariana first, sharp and crushing, forcing the air out of her lungs. The cracks beneath her feet widened instantly, light spilling upward in violent lines. The ground no longer felt solid. It felt like it was falling apart under her.
Her body jerked forward.
The deeper current surged.
This time, it did not hesitate.
It answered.
"No…"
Her voice broke as the pull dragged at her chest, at her breath, at something deeper than her body. It was no longer guiding her.
It was taking her.
The gold flared in response, bright and sharp, pushing back against the force trying to claim her. The clash between them sent pain through her ribs, her arms, her throat.
Ariana dropped to one knee.
Her hand hit the ground.
The surface cracked under her palm.
"I said no," she forced out.
But the darkness did not slow.
