As Nicolai stepped out of the portal he created, my heart clenched. His presence, though familiar, felt foreign now—darker, colder, and infinitely more dangerous than before. His expression was unreadable, a strange mix of detachment and satisfaction that sent shivers down my spine. It was as though he had finally arrived at a moment he had long anticipated.
Andrus, sensing the same shift in the air, immediately stepped in front of me, shielding me from Nicolai. His stance was protective, tense, as though he was preparing for an attack. I could feel the weight of the conflict between them, the father and son bond shattered into pieces long ago, now hanging by threads of betrayal and resentment.
Nicolai noticed Andrus’ protective move and let out a mocking laugh, his eyes gleaming with am
