**Eliana feinted**

The forest stretched long and endless, swallowing the moonlight as the whisper of leaves beneath their feet was drowned out by the erratic pounding of her heartbeat. Every breath felt heavier, as though the very air had turned thick, pressing into her lungs. The world around her blurred at the edges, darkness creeping into her vision.

Kieran held her in his arms as he ran, his strength an anchor against the chaos. He didn't falter, didn't hesitate. He just moved, carrying her through the labyrinth of trees with unwavering determination. Each step was precise, calculated, as if he had traversed this terrain countless times before. But Eliana's body betrayed her. The exhaustion, the pain—her limbs felt like lead, her senses dulling, her head lolling against his chest.

A sharp gasp left her lips as her vision wavered. The ground seemed to tilt, the world spinning, and before she could make sense of it, the shadows thickened, wrapping around her consciousness like a veil, pulling her under. The last thing she saw was Kieran's piercing golden eyes watching her before the world faded into darkness.

—

The distant hum of voices pulled her from the depths of unconsciousness. Her head throbbed, her body heavy, as if she had been submerged underwater for too long. The scent of burning wood and damp earth filled her senses.

Slowly, she blinked her eyes open.

The soft glow of firelight flickered against the rough walls of what appeared to be a cabin. The air was still, save for the occasional crackle of flames licking the charred logs in the hearth. A rough blanket covered her, the fabric coarse against her skin, but warm.

Her gaze shifted, taking in the surroundings. The space was small, rustic—wooden beams stretched above her, casting long shadows that danced with the flickering light. The only furniture was a worn table and a few mismatched chairs, pushed against the far wall. And then—

Kieran.

He stood near the door, his back turned, shoulders tense. Even in the dim light, his presence was overwhelming. The steady rise and fall of his breath, the way his fingers flexed at his sides—it was as if he was restraining himself, containing something just beneath the surface.

Eliana shifted, attempting to sit up, but a sharp pain shot through her ribs, forcing her to hiss. Immediately, Kieran turned, his golden eyes locking onto hers in an instant. He was beside her in two strides, crouching at her side.

"You're awake." His voice was rough, low.

She swallowed hard, her throat dry. "Where…?"

"Safe house," he answered. "Middle of nowhere. You needed to rest."

Memories came rushing back. The chase, the monolith, the whispering voices that called a name foreign yet familiar. The terror of the unknown pressing against her mind like a vice. She shuddered involuntarily.

Kieran's gaze darkened. "You passed out," he said, watching her carefully. "Your body couldn't handle it."

She hated the way that sounded. Weak. Helpless. But there was no denying the truth. She had collapsed, and Kieran had been the one to carry her. Again.

Eliana licked her dry lips. "How long?"

"Two days."

Her stomach dropped. "Two—?"

"You needed the rest." His tone brooked no argument, but there was something else beneath the gruffness. Something unreadable.

Silence stretched between them. The fire crackled softly, filling the space where words failed. Eliana clenched her fingers into the blanket, grounding herself. There were too many questions swirling in her mind, too many things she didn't understand.

"What happened back there?" she finally asked, her voice quieter than she intended. "The monolith… those voices…"

Kieran exhaled, leaning back on his heels. "I don't know."

A lie.

She narrowed her eyes. "You do."

His jaw tightened. For a moment, he didn't respond, simply studying her, as if weighing his next words carefully. Then, finally—

"You weren't supposed to hear them."

A cold chill ran down her spine. "What does that mean?"

He hesitated, then exhaled sharply. "You're connected to it," he admitted. "Somehow. The monolith… it was reacting to you."

Eliana's pulse quickened. "Reacting how?"

Kieran's gaze flickered, something unreadable passing through his expression. "Calling you."

The room suddenly felt smaller, the walls pressing in. She shook her head. "That doesn't make sense."

"I know."

Frustration bubbled in her chest. "Kieran—"

"I don't have all the answers, Eliana." His voice was quieter this time, but no less intense. "But I know this—whatever they wanted from you, whatever they were trying to awaken… it's dangerous."

Her breath hitched. The way he said it, the certainty in his tone—it sent a wave of unease curling through her.

"I won't let them take you," Kieran said suddenly, his voice steel. "No matter what."

Eliana stared at him, the weight of his words settling deep into her bones. There was no hesitation in his gaze, no doubt. Only cold, unwavering resolve.

And for the first time since this nightmare began, she felt something dangerously close to safe.

Eliana's meet Kieran in a comforting and warming hug.