Chapter 108

ANDRES “Valentina!” My voice tore from my throat into the world surrounded by smoke and fire. Amidst the mist, I beheld her—bare feet upon the cracked stone, silver chains subtly marking her wrists. Her gaze was expansive, glistening with unshed tears, her lips quivering as though she longed to speak my name, yet didn't dare. Looming behind her, shadows gathered—wolves with eyes that faintly resembled dying embers. I ran. The ground beneath me crumbled, but I didn’t care. My lungs burned, my muscles screamed, yet the distance between us never closed. “Don’t leave me,” I choked out. She smiled—it was faint, almost sad—and whispered words I couldn’t hear. Then suddenly she stepped back, thrusting into the darkness. Her eyes fluttered with tears. Her hands stretched toward me, but before I could reach, black smoke emerged from the shadow and pulled her back, swallowing her whole. NO! “VALENTINA!” The scream startled me, causing me to sit up abruptly, with my breath coming in ragged gasps.