Chapter 108: The Aftermath

Serena POV

We came back to the living world the way one returns from deep water—gasping, disoriented, unsure which way was up.

The ritual chamber reformed around us in fragments: cold stone under my palms, the sharp tang of burned herbs in the air, the echo of chanting still vibrating in my bones. For a heartbeat, I couldn’t tell if I was truly awake or still walking the thin edge between realms.

Then Leo cried out.

Not in fear.

In exhaustion.

I gathered him ...