ARES’ POV

Darkness used to be peaceful.

But not this time.

This time, it was fire. Not the kind that burned skin, but the kind that scorched the soul. My insides twisted with a torment I couldn’t describe—like something ancient was crawling under my skin, trying to claw its way out, screaming to be free.

Then—light.

A gasping breath tore out of my lungs as my eyes flew open, my chest jerking like I’d been drowning and had finally breached the surface.

Air. Gods, I could breathe ...