The Wife Who Returned
My scar burned, hotter than it ever had, glowing bright against my skin.
The Entity appeared.
Not as a voice this time. As a shape. Tall, ancient, beautiful, and terrible, eyes like dying stars. It leaned down until its face was inches from mine, breath cold as the grave.
“Five years remain,” it whispered, voice sliding into my bones like ice. “The bond grows stronger. But remember, little one, nothing is ever truly free.”
Its fingers, long and sharp, traced the sigil on my neck. Pain flared, white-hot, and I woke gasping, scar burning like a brand, Lucien’s arms tightening around me in his sleep.