C246 THE THIRD CLAIM CHOOSES

The call never came back.

It did not have to.

Aria stood still for a long time after the Blood King left, her hand resting lightly on her chest as if it would stop what was happening inside her. The air around her felt thinner and strained, like fabric that had been pulled too far. Every breath felt heavy, and she didn't know how to describe it until now.

Damon noticed it first.

Not the noise