"Explain," he demanded silently, his thoughts steady, his will sharp.
[You will learn as you use it. But remember—everything has a balance. To give life, you must take it.]
The words struck deep, not just sounds in his mind but weight that settled in his chest until it felt hard to breathe.
They didn't fade. They lingered, pressing down on him like a truth too simple to escape. His shoulders twitched faintly, a shiver running through him before he could hold it back.
Everly, light sleeper that she was, stirred against him. Her body shifted, her lips brushing the bare skin of his collarbone as she leaned closer.
Her voice slipped out low, soft enough that he almost thought he'd imagined it. "Cold?"
"Maybe a little," Ethan said, the lie smooth and practiced, his hand giving hers a squeeze as though it was the only anchor in the room.
She didn't question it. She just pressed tighter against him, her warmth spilling across his skin like it was her quiet answer.
