The air felt warmer now, the mist no longer oppressive but in a strange, seductive manner inviting. Ethan could sense the energy shifting around them, their golden figures still in view but somehow less intimidating. His gaze flickered toward Amara, her eyes sharp, unreadable, and he fought the tension between fear and curiosity and something else.
He could feel her near him, the power in her, the security of herself. She seemed to have an awareness that brought attention, commanding an entire room or even the space between dimensions without trying. Ethan's heart beat in his chest. There was something about her, the strength she kept, the steady voice, the cut of her gaze through him like a blade, sharp and sure.
He could not ignore it. He was fascinated by her.
Amara turned to him, her voice low. "Stay close to me. We're not yet out of danger, but we're learning their language, their intent. Watch your step."
His words gave another shiver of tension in him this time, and it wasn't fear that ran through him. He could feel his fingers going to work up his arm, around his wrist, to tweak at his gear, calm the building adrenaline. She was strong and that strength seemed both intimidating and somehow appealing.
Ethan steadied his thoughts on the situation. "What do you think they want of us?" he asked, trying to keep his voice steady.
Before she could answer, the golden figures moved again, their bodies shimmering with golden hues. Ethan felt his breath hitch as they came closer, their presence pulsing with energy. His eyes darted to their forms, his hands gripping his weapon tighter. His focus was shaky—until Amara stepped in front of him again.
"I think we'll find out soon enough," she whispered.
The figures crackled with energy, and Ethan could feel it: its hum wrapped itself around his body. He tried to smother the unease that still clung to him. No one could feel composed when the air feels alive and the tension is electric but intangible.
"Wait here," Amara said suddenly, her voice sharp as she held up a hand. She took a single step forward toward the figures, each movement deliberate and confident. Ethan could feel her gaze behind him, his presence grounding him even as his own emotions threatened to boil over.
"What are you doing?" Ethan asked softly, his voice shaking.
"Talking to them," she said matter-of-factly.
She spoke once more, this time with a steady rhythm. The golden energy about her words shifted, resonated in the beat of their pulse. It was intimate, a dance of vibrations and intent. His heart was pounding, a heat building inside his chest that had nothing to do with fear and everything to do with something else.
Amara was commanding them with her presence, her voice. Ethan watched, his throat dry, every word pulling at him, tugging at emotions he wasn't ready to confront. She was so composed, so powerful, and he couldn't help but feel that pull-strong, magnetic.
He didn't know what it was about her, but he couldn't help but watch.
*And don't let yourself get distracted,* he thought, but it was too late. His thoughts were long gone, hijacked by the spell of her confidence and presence.
Her voice grew sharper and the figures moved as though they could hear her. Ethan had no idea what they were saying, but the tone itself had sent chill along his bones. Something changed their current, and Amara suddenly stopped her hand. Firm, with a sound: "That's impossible.".
"Stay here," she repeated to him, her voice piercing through his thoughts. She recommenced her gaze toward the figures of gold, her face unreading. Ethan's breath caught as she spoke those words, and he felt his chest constricting.
He watched Amara with them, and in that observation, another emotion surfaced. His pulse began rising and his breaths became shallow. She was too confident, a presence that made him feel vulnerable and exposed. His heart racing fast, he didn't even notice as his mind started going through scenarios.
What would it be like to trust her completely? To let himself unwind for just a moment, his guard down?
His thoughts were dangerous, but he knew his mind couldn't stop.
The golden figures shimmered on, and he felt the faint stiffness in Amara's carriage as she touched them. She moved with a practiced grace, her eyes sharp, piercing. Ethan felt himself responding to her, his mind running with what ifs.
Fear and curiosity alone were not enough anymore. There was something about her - chemistry that he could not define, a pull that he couldn't resist.
That made him frightened.