Chapter 84. The Trance

Alison’s POV

The air around Simone felt lighter than ever as she stood before me, her face radiant with a joy I hadn’t seen in a long time. Her newfound ability to see had transformed her demeanor entirely, her smile wider, her laughter unrestrained. For the first time, she didn’t need her cane or anyone else to guide her steps. As I hugged her, grateful beyond words, my eyes caught something peculiar.

There it was, just below the collar of her dress on her left shoulder, a faint but intricate marking. It looked almost like a swirling pattern, delicate yet commanding, as if it had been etched there with purpose.

In all my days with her, I had never seen anything like this on her skin, so it got me wondering.

“Simone,” I began, pulling back slightly, my fingers lightly brushing her shoulder. “When did you get this?”

She blinked, confused. “Get what?”

“This.” I pointed to the mark, tilting my head to get a better look. “It kind of looks like