chapter 42

I felt a hand on my shoulder, shaking me gently. I opened my eyes to find Maya's concerned face hovering above me.

"Emily, are you okay?" she whispered.

I nodded, still trying to process what had just happened. The figure, the slow movements, the piercing gaze...

Damian helped me to my feet, his eyes scanning the room cautiously. The figure stood before us, its gaze no longer intense, but rather... expectant.

"Please, follow me," it said, its voice still low and gravelly, but no longer menacing.

Maya and Damian exchanged a wary glance, but I nodded, feeling a sense of curiosity wash over me.

The figure turned and walked away, its slow pace beckoning us to follow. We trailed behind, our eyes fixed on its back, wondering what lay ahead.

As we walked, the darkness seemed to dissipate, replaced by a soft, golden light. We found ourselves in a grand hallway, lined with ornate tapestries and glittering chandeliers.