Clare's POV:
The silence in the room grew heavier, thick with something unspoken—something dark, pressing against my skin like invisible fingers. The flickering light overhead buzzed faintly, casting erratic shadows that seemed to crawl across the walls. My heartbeat pounded against my ribs, too loud, too fast, like a rabbit caught in a snare.
I reached up with trembling fingers and started with the wig, peeling it away slowly. The glue made it difficult, tugging at my scalp as I freed my dark brown waves. As soon as my hair spilled down my shoulders, I felt it—the shift in the air.
Blaze's eyes darkened, his entire body going eerily still, like a predator locking onto its prey.
I forced my gaze away from him. I couldn't meet his eyes.
