The humming grew louder, more insistent, like a beast clawing its way out of his skull.
Kaelric's grip tightened on the quill until his knuckles went bone white, the delicate feather bending and twisting under the crushing pressure.
His breathing turned shallow, quick gasps that burned his throat as the sound built to a crescendo that made his teeth ache deep in their roots.
"Stop," he whispered to the empty room, his voice barely a breath against the thrumming that filled his ears like rushing water. "Just stop."
But the humming didn't stop. If anything, it seemed to feed on his distress, growing stronger, more aggressive, pulsing in rhythm with his racing heartbeat. The sound wrapped around him like chains, tightening with every beat.
The vibration spread through his body like poison, making his heart slam against his ribs and his hands shake uncontrollably.
