Chapter 82
Ariana
The words stayed in her head even after everything went quiet. Ariana stood still and focused on her breathing, trying to steady herself. No matter how many times she replayed it, the conclusion stayed the same. Something had answered her. It was clear, direct, and real. And it was not Kael.
The space around her looked the same, but it no longer felt empty. It felt closer now, like something had shifted its attention toward her and was no longer trying to hide it. That made her uneasy, because she had not reached out this time. She had not called anything. It had responded on its own.Kyrindor stood a few steps away, calm as ever, watching her without reacting.
"You heard it," Ariana said.
"I did."
Ariana turned to him, her voice tighter now. "Then tell me what that was."
Kyrindor looked at her for a moment. "You already know it wasn't him."
"That's not enough," she said. "Something answered me. I felt it clearly. That doesn't just happen."
