Roman's eyes fluttered open, and he found himself in a dark, seemingly endless void. The absence of light was suffocating, and he strained his ears to pick up any sound. Suddenly, a low, gravelly voice echoed through the space, sending shivers down his spine.
"Kael!" it called, using the supernatural name Roman had kept hidden. He spun around, his heart racing, and met a pair of unblinking white eyes. The voice spoke again, its tone rough and commanding.
"Kael, we have a proposition for you." The emphasis on "we" sent a shiver down Roman's spine.
He took a step back, his voice steady despite the turmoil inside. "And who are you?" he asked, his eyes locked on the eerie gaze.
The voice chuckled, a dry, mirthless sound. "Who I am is of no consequence. What I need is what matters. And what you could gain is important, so let us set identities aside for now."
