Alden looked at the girl hugging him tightly.
Nyx.
Tears still clung to her cheeks, although her breathing had grown steady now.
He didn't know what had broken her… Or why was she holding him like she was afraid he might vanish if she let go.
And yet… he didn't push her away.
His hand rose on instinct, tapping her back softly, as if that small rhythm could promise her safety.
But his mind was anything but calm.
Something was wrong… Very wrong.
Jeremy.
It had to be that bastard.
Alden's jaw tightened.
He had known Jeremy would try to take over his body eventually.
That smug disciple-master bond with Nyx had always reeked of manipulation.
He had once even suspected that Nyx came from some other world… and maybe she was even sister of Ren—the lunatic he met in trial to claim his weapon art.
But that seemed impossible now.
He didn't know how… but he was sure that there was some restriction keeping other worlders away from this world.
