Chapter Twelve – The Shadows Stir

The silence between Selene and Asrael stretched as they left the chamber behind. The weight of what had just happened clung to them, thick and suffocating. Asrael flexed his fingers, staring at them as though they no longer belonged to him.

Selene walked a few steps ahead, glancing back every so often. "How are you feeling?"

Asrael exhaled sharply. "Like I just swallowed fire and ice at the same time."

She slowed her pace until they were side by side. "You were handling it better toward the end. It's like your body is adjusting."

"If that's what you call it." He gave her a sidelong glance. "And you? You felt it too, didn't you? The shift?"

Selene hesitated, then nodded. "It's like… I could feel you, like an extension of myself. Your energy, your pain. I knew exactly what you needed to do, without thinking."

Asrael ran a hand through his hair, frustration creeping into his voice. "That's not normal, Selene. None of this is. And I don't like not knowing what's happening to me. To us."

She chewed her lip, understanding his frustration. She felt it too. The bond between them was shifting, deepening, and neither of them had control over it.

🔥 A New Threat 🔥

A sudden noise made them both freeze. A whisper, too faint to be the wind, too deliberate to be an accident.

Asrael's stance changed instantly—shoulders squared, muscles tensed. Selene reached for the dagger strapped to her thigh, her heart thudding.

"We're not alone," he murmured, barely moving his lips.

Selene nodded. She had felt it too. A presence. Watching. Waiting.

Then, just as quickly as it came, the feeling vanished.

Asrael turned to her. "Tell me you felt that."

"I did. But whatever it was, it's gone now."

"For now."

As they proceeded down the hallway, their uneasiness remained. The walls appeared to be pressing in as the air become thicker. There was more to the ruins than just ancient stone and lost history. This place was alive, Someone was listening

🔥 A Moment of Understanding 🔥

Asrael let out a slow breath. "Selene".

She paused and turned to face him. She wasn't accustomed to the intensity in his silvery gaze.

"I need you to promise me something"

She scowled. "What is it"

"If something happens to me, if I lose control, if I become something i shouldn't .... you should stop me" 

Her breath caught in her throat. "Asrael—"

"Promise me."

She shook her head. "No. That's not an option. We find another way. Together."

His jaw tightened, but he didn't argue. Instead, he gave a short nod and started walking again. Selene lingered for a second before following, her mind racing.

They had to find answers. Fast. Because something was coming, and whatever it was—it already had its eyes on them.