Chapter 17

Leo sat in his room, staring out the window at the moonlit landscape. The peace of the night was a stark contrast to the turmoil in his mind. His thoughts were a tangled web of responsibilities, loyalties, and a growing, unsettling sense of something amiss.

Suddenly, a jolt of fear coursed through him, sharp and unbidden. He felt it deep in his bones, a primal instinct that made him sit up in shock. His heart raced as he tried to pinpoint the source of this fear.

Beside him, Tiana stirred, her sleep disturbed by his sudden movement. She sat up, her eyes wide with concern. "Leo, are you alright?" she asked, her voice soft but laced with worry.

Leo ran a hand through his hair, trying to steady his breathing. "I don't know," he admitted, his gaze still fixed on the window. "I just felt... something. Fear. Like someone was in danger."

Tiana placed a gentle hand on his arm, her touch warm and comforting. "It's probably just a dream," she suggested, though her brow furrowed with concern. "Y