Luzia leaned in slightly, curiosity outweighing the lingering weight of grief in her chest. "A spirit beast?"
Ramiro nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Yes. Spirit beasts are ancient, powerful creatures that choose a contractor. The bond is deeper than a mage's connection to magic—it's symbiotic. They share power, instincts… even emotions, at times. And Dahlia's bond was unlike anything I'd ever seen before."
Luzia's brow furrowed. "What kind of spirit beast did she have?"
Ramiro hesitated, his gaze flickering toward her before returning to the fire. "A celestial snow leopard," he finally said. "A rare one—white as snow, with golden eyes that could see beyond the veil of reality itself. It had been passed down through her family for generations. Its name was Zuri."
Luzia's fingers tightened against his sleeve. "And what happened to it?"
Ramiro's expression darkened. "It disappeared the night Dahlia died."
Luzia inhaled sharply. "You think—?"
