The rift widened with a sound like cracking bone.
Raya felt invisible fingers hook around her ribs, dragging her toward the darkness.
"No—no—NO!" she screamed, digging her heels into the earth.
Eren wrapped his arms around her waist from behind, locking her against him.
"I've got you! Raya, I've got you!"
But the pull grew stronger.
Her feet left the ground.
Her body tilted toward the rift, hair floating, dress rising as if she were underwater.
Eren snarled, bracing his feet.
"YOU WILL NOT TAKE HER!"
A voice slid through the air—
deep, velvety, ancient.
You defy me again, little thief…
Raya felt Eren's body go rigid.
It was the Sovereign's voice.
His attention.
His anger.
Directed at Eren.
"Let her go," Eren spat.
"She isn't yours."
A low, amused hum answered.
Everything marked is mine.
Raya screamed, trying to pull back—
but the rift swallowed her hand.
She gasped at the sensation.
Not pain.
Cold.
Terrifying cold.
It crawled up her wrist like frostbite made of whispers.
"Eren—!" she cried.
"I'm here!" he shouted back, pulling with everything he had.
"Don't let go of me, Raya—don't you dare—"
The rift tugged harder.
Her arm sank deeper.
The cold reached her elbow.
Her shoulder.
Her chest.
Raya sobbed, shaking violently.
"I can't—I can't breathe—"
Then—
A hand emerged from inside the rift.
Black as shadow.
Long fingers.
A wrist wrapped in moving smoke.
It touched her cheek.
Raya froze.
The touch was gentle.
Possessive.
Claiming.
Eren roared, "DON'T TOUCH HER!"
The rift pulsed.
The hand withdrew.
And the Sovereign's voice whispered:
Soon, little flame.
The rift slammed shut like jaws.
Raya collapsed against Eren, shaking in terror as he held her tight, burying his face in her hair.
His voice cracked with relief—
"I've got you… I've got you… he didn't take you…"
But the Mark burned—
and R
aya knew the truth:
He didn't take her tonight.
But he would try again.
And next time…
He might not let go.