The sky above us was a tempest of violet and gold, the clouds swirling with a chaotic rhythm that mirrored the turmoil in my heart. I could feel Dante’s hand through mine, firm and unwavering, a lifeline in a world that seemed to shift beneath our feet. Every pulse of the ground resonated with the energy of the hourglass, every gust of wind carried whispers of unseen threats, and yet, despite the danger, the proximity of Dante next to me set my pulse racing in ways no fear could ever accomplish.

“Stay close, Isabella,” Dante murmured, his voice a low vibration that threaded through me. His eyes scanned the horizon,...