[ It's like a tugging deep inside him, the sound of her voice. He feels it more than hears it, feels her calling his name across the connection between them. A connection forged by his will, but deepening all the time. He's had his claws in her from the moment he met her. Of course she's here.

His smile, triumphal and exultant, sweeps across his face, making its angles more acute. He turns to her, eyes sharpening as they find her, and yet despite that obvious glee, his voice is almost lazy. ]

Alina.

For a moment, I almost believed I was lost. But I cannot be lost, can I? Not without you. I am never alone, so long as you still live.

Did you follow me, Alina? Did you come to me, as I knew you would?