The warmth lingered.

Adriana stared at the ancient book, her fingers still resting on its worn leather cover.

The burning sensation on her palm gradually faded until only a faint tingling remained.

She slowly pulled back her sleeve.

The silver mark no longer glowed. It rested quietly against her skin, as though nothing had

happened.

"What is going on?" she whispered.

Mia remained unusually silent.

Neither of them could explain what had just happened.

After a moment, Adriana lowered herself into one of the chairs beside the reading table. She

took a slow breath before carefully opening the book once more.

Its old pages crackled softly beneath her fingertips. The...