The chamber door exploded inward in a burst of blinding light.
Selene stepped through, silver needle blazing like a star. The humanoid shapes dissolved instantly, threads snapping back into slack, lifeless lines. The whisper cut off, though Arielle swore she felt a cold laugh echo in her chest.
Selene crossed the room in two strides, their coat flaring like ink in water. "Are you hurt?"
Arielle shook her head, though her hands trembled. "The voice… it was here. It tried to—"
"I know." Selene's gaze swept the chamber, their jaw tight. "It's him. The predator. He can reach through weakened threads now. Which means…" They turned back to her, their expression softening, just slightly. "…we're running out of time."
They extended a hand. Arielle hesitated for a moment, then took it.
The hum in her chest steadied the second their fingers brushed hers, the threads around them pulsing softly in response. For the first time since she'd touched the weave, the weight felt… bearable.
But beyond the chamber walls, faint and distant, the black tether pulsed.
And Arielle knew the voice wasn't done with her yet.