Chapter 24

Victoria His lips lingered against mine, warm and possessive, stirring something deep within me that hadn't been there before. When we finally separated, I felt different—more complete somehow, like a puzzle piece that had found its matching edge after years of searching. "Close your eyes," Leo murmured, his forehead pressed against mine. "Focus inward. Try to find her." I nodded, letting my eyelids flutter closed. I took a deep breath, imagining my consciousness sinking deeper within myself, past the surface thoughts and immediate sensations. *Hello? Are you there?* I called into the void within me, expecting the same hollow emptiness that had greeted me every time before. *Well, it's about time you properly looked for me!* The voice—distinctly feminine, vibrant and somehow familiar—echoed through my mind with such clarity that I gasped aloud. My eyes flew open, meeting Leo's concerned gaze. "Victoria? What is it?" His hands gripped my shoulders. "I heard her," I whispered, tears spri