Marin's knees shook as she followed Averic deeper into the alley, which twisted unnaturally, stretching farther than it should have. Shapes flitted at the edge of her vision—creatures that seemed to be made entirely of shadow.
"They'll test you," Averic warned, his hand tight on hers. "You can't run. You can't hesitate. You have to feel the world, not just see it."
Marin swallowed hard. "Test me? How?"
He didn't answer immediately. Instead, he released her hand and stepped back. The shadows converged on her from all sides, their forms swirling like smoke with eyes glinting silver. Fear clawed at her throat, but the tether she felt with Averic pulsed stronger, steadying her.
"Focus," he commanded, stepping close enough that his chest brushed hers. His warmth—or cold—flooded her senses, grounding her. "Listen to me. Your heart is your strength. Don't fight them… guide them."
Marin took a deep breath. For the first time, she tried to feel instead of run. The shadows hesitated, curling around her like waves, responding subtly to her will. She gasped. She could control them, at least a little.
Averic's silver eyes softened. "Good. You're stronger than you realize… and this is only the beginning."