Rain pattered against my skin, but I barely felt it. I stood motionless in the garden, staring at nothing, my mind stretched thin across the bond connection—searching, always searching for them.
How long had I been standing here? Minutes? Hours? The concept of time had lost all meaning since Silas and Ronan disappeared into the Void. My clothes were soaked through, hair plastered to my face, but I couldn't bring myself to move.
"Silas," I whispered into the empty air. "Ronan. Please come back to me."
Only silence answered.
A gentle hand touched my shoulder, and I didn't need to look to know it was Kaelen. His presence wrapped around me like a protective shield, warm and solid in a world that had suddenly become terrifyingly fragile.
"Hazel," he said softly. "You need to come inside."
I shook my head, not trusting my voice.
"The baby," he reminded me gently. "You need to stay warm."