"Selena…" he whispered.
The name felt strange in his mouth, like it did not belong to this silent world.
Ramos did not move.
Water energy still swirled around him in thin streams, rising and falling without control. His fists were clenched so tightly that blood dripped from his palms.
Kael looked at Ramos for a long moment.
The old man seemed smaller than before. Not in body, but in spirit. His shoulders were heavy, and his eyes had a dullness that had not been there earlier. He looked tired in a way that had nothing to do with the body. It was the kind of tiredness that came from memories that never faded.
Kael almost opened his mouth to tease him, just to lighten the mood. But he stopped himself.
This was not the time to be an asshole.
Ruth sat nearby with his arms folded. His face was calm, almost blank, as if the story had nothing to do with him. Only the slight tightening of his jaw showed that he had been listening closely.
The room felt quiet and heavy.
