The days within the Obsidian Sanctum followed no discernible pattern of light and dark. Instead, the floating globes of illumination dimmed periodically to signal night, brightening again when it was time to wake.
Samantha found herself adapting to this rhythmless existence more easily than she expected, perhaps because her body's focus had narrowed to the child growing within her—a personal clock that ticked inevitably toward their future.
On what might have been their third morning, Aspen appeared at their chamber entrance, his ethereal form somehow more substantial within the Sanctum's walls.
"The Keepers have granted permission for a tour," he announced.
"There are parts of the Sanctum you should know, especially as your time here may extend beyond the birth."
Marcus looked up sharply from the ancient text he'd been studying. "What makes you say that?"
