Chapter 340: When Stone Watches Back
Eldric stared at Sophia as if she might fracture if he breathed too loudly.
She stood near the altar, shoulders tense, chest rising and falling too quickly, as though the shrine had stolen the air from her lungs and forgotten to give it back. The pale stone behind her had gone quiet again—no hum, no pulse—just cold silence, as if nothing had happened at all.
But Eldric knew better.
He opened his mouth to speak, but Sophia straightened abruptly instead.
The movement was too fast. Her knees buckled, and she swayed, vision swimming. Eldric stepped forward instinctively, hands outstretched.
"Sophia—"
"I'm fine." Her voice was sharp, brittle. She shook her head, pulling away before his fingers could close around her arm. "Just—give me a second."
