Chapter 83
Ariana
It did not wait for her to allow it. Ariana felt the shift before she could react. The presence inside her chest moved again, slowly but with clear intent, pressing deeper as if it had already decided it belonged there. It was no longer testing her control. It was trying to stay. Her breath caught, but she forced herself to remain still.
"No."
The word came out low, but steady. She focused on the exact place where the pressure sat and held it there. This time, she did not push blindly. She kept it contained, making sure it did not spread any further. For a moment, it stopped. Then it pressed back. The weight inside her chest grew heavier, not sharp enough to hurt, but constant enough to make it impossible to ignore. It felt like something leaning against a door, not forcing its way through yet, but making it clear it would not move away. Ariana slowly curled her fingers at her sides and steadied her breathing.
