The air was thick with sweat, heat, and the stench of freshly disintegrated demons.
The group stood in the newly exposed chamber, still catching their breath.
Lava bubbled from cracks beneath the obsidian tiles, casting dancing lights over battered armor and scorched faces.
Raven slowly pulled Selena closer, steadying her.
She was trembling—half from exhaustion, half from relief. He didn't know what had happened, but he was sure that Mistress had a hand in all this.
Only she could turn the tables like this.
Especially the demon that brought Selena here.
Raven was sure it wasn't following Selena's words but Mistress's.
"I'm fine," Selena whispered against his shoulder, her voice shaky but solid. "I... I just needed to know you were real."
He held her for a heartbeat longer before smiling at her. "Fortunately, I'm real."