—DAWNSPIRE CASTLE, SUNSTONE PEAKS, AETHERIA—Madeleine's mind reeled with what Dante had said."Phoenix?" she whispered to herself. The word hung in the empty air, impossible and absurd. She let out a nervous laugh, running her hands through her hair. "Ridiculous."She paced across the stone floor, her footsteps echoing in the cavernous room. "He's toying with me," she muttered. "Phoenixes are myths. Children's tales. Magical birds that burst into flame and are reborn." She gestured wildly at the empty space where he had stood. "They don't exist, and they certainly should not look like..." Her hand waved dismissively. "whatever the hell he is."The air shimmered beside her, and Dante reappeared, dropping a familiar bags on the floor with a thud. Her belongings. He turned to leave, the air already beginning to ripple around him.Madeleine lunged forward, grabbing his arm before he could vanish again. His skin was unnaturally warm beneath her fingers."Be honest with me," she pleaded,
Last Updated : 2025-03-11 Read more