Surge

The world blurred around Samantha as her legs moved on instinct, her body surging forward before her mind could catch up. The docks erupted into chaos—alarms wailing, security officers shouting, heavy boots pounding against the concrete as they gave chase.

Callum's grip on her wrist was firm, unrelenting, guiding her through the maze of shipping containers. "Keep moving!" he ordered, his voice sharp with command.

Samantha's hybrid senses flooded her with too much detail—the scent of salt and rust in the air, the distant hum of conversations, the quiet buzz of magic still lingering from Elena's interference. But something else gnawed at her, something deeper.

Her chest ached.

It wasn't from fear. It wasn't from exhaustion. It was her heart.

Beating.

She could breathe—not that she needed to, but she felt the instinct, the pull of air filling her lungs. It was unnatural, unexpected. She felt… human again.