The shadows dissipated into mist, leaving Marin trembling, exhilarated, and terrified all at once. Averic reached out and caught her hands in his, holding them firmly.
"You did well," he said softly, his voice brushing against her skin like a caress. "Most humans can't even sense them, let alone influence them."
Marin's chest heaved. "I… I felt something… something moving through me. Was that… me?"
He nodded slowly. "It is you. And it's why they're interested. Your presence awakens things long dormant. You're tied to me… to this world… and you can't ignore it anymore."
Her pulse raced as she looked into his eyes. Silver, cold, magnetic—pulling her in deeper than she thought possible. She wanted to step closer, to feel more, but the fear tangled with desire, making her ache.
"You… you make everything feel… dangerous," she whispered, her voice trembling.
Averic's lips curved into a faint, almost predatory smile. "Danger is real, Marin. But so am I. And soon, you'll see… sometimes, they're one and the same."
Marin felt the invisible tether tighten, drawing her closer to him. Her heart pounded, not just from fear, but from the undeniable, forbidden attraction growing between them. And as they stood together in the mist, she realized the world she had known was gone—and she was already in too deep to turn back.