Haunted manor...

Selene stiffened, her eyes widening in alarm. "Did you hear that?" she whispered in a barely audible voice.

The low, grating sound of claws scratching against stone filled the room, intensifying as it echoed through the ancient manor. Adrian tensed, his hand instinctively moving to the hilt of his sword. 

Selene sat rigid beside him, her face pale, her eyes darting around the room, searching for the source of the sound.

"Stay here," Adrian whispered, rising to his feet, his voice barely above a breath. "I'll check it out."

Selene shook her head immediately. "I can't just sit here alone. Let me come with you."

Adrian hesitated, his instincts warring between protecting her and respecting her choice. Seeing the conviction in her eyes, he relented with a nod. "Alright. But stay close. No wandering."