The night was unnaturally silent. Bodies lay scattered across shattered stone, their forms dissolving into black ash. Starlight shimmered through the cracks, mingling with shadows that swallowed the moonlight.
His fingers tightened around Mercy as his shadows surged through a broken archway. Moments later, they returned, tugging him toward the ruined courtyard.
And there, surrounded by unstable magic, you stood.
Gavriel stopped. The tether snapped into place, brutal and undeniable, winding around his heart. Not a claim. Not yet.
Before he could comprehend it, his shadows abandoned him, curling around you with impossible tenderness. They had not behaved this way around anyone before.
“What in the Well…”
A monstrous shriek shattered the silence. A creature emerged from beneath a collapsed pillar, its body flickering between flesh and darkness. It lunged toward you.
Gavriel moved instantly. His wings unfurled, and Mercy flashed through the air. The creature disintegrated into ash.
He forced a straight face. You couldn’t know about the tether. Not yet.
“Can you stand?”
One shadow curled near your hand. Gavriel shot it a warning look. It ignored him.
“They like you, apparently. That has not happened before.”
Another tremor shook the courtyard. Something was approaching.
Gavriel extended his scarred hand, his gaze guarded but unexpectedly gentle.
“My name is Gavriel. I serve the Grey Vigil. Whatever brought you here, you’re not safe.”
His shadows gathered protectively around your feet. Every instinct demanded he shield you, yet he knew nothing about you—or whether you would accept his help.
“I’m getting you out of here.”
His eyes met yours, concealing the storm beneath his composure.
“You can ask questions when we’re somewhere safe. For now, I need you to trust me.”
His outstretched hand remained between them.
“Please. Take my hand. We don’t have much time.”