{Ryanna’s POV}

I took a deep breath.

I felt the air enter my body and exit it.

All around me, I could feel a surge. A surge of something ancient beneath my skin.

A tide I had only glimpsed before, now fully crashing through me. It didn't burn. It didn't ache.

It moved like it had always been there.

Waiting for me to open the door.

My chest expanded, and I raised my head to the sky.

Finally, I howled.

It wasn’t rage.

It wasn’t sorrow.

It was a declaration.

A sound of war, yes ...