Emilio turned toward Markos, his expression filled with terror, desperation — and something else.
Resolve.
"Then don't let me lose her," Emilio said, his voice like a blade being drawn.
And somewhere behind them, the veil began to tear.
Markos let out a sharp, shrill whistle that cut through the frozen stillness like lightning across a black sky.
"Emilio!" he shouted, his voice laced with urgency. "Pull back! Something is coming!"
Emilio's head snapped up. The grief, the guilt — none of it mattered now. He didn't hesitate. He reached beneath Unnur's shoulders and lifted her with trembling arms, staggering to his feet, his legs half-numb beneath him.
"I've got you," he murmured to her, more a promise than a reassurance.
