Velka Nocturne crumpled to her knees on the dark stone stairs, the secret door above slamming shut with a final thunderous crash. Tarek's final scream still echoed in her ears, a sound she would never forget. She was alone, trapped in darkness, burdened by the horror of Tarek's sacrifice and the truth about her family.
Driven by pure adrenaline, she rose. She could not die here. Tarek's sacrifice would not be in vain.
She descended the stairs, leading her to an abandoned wine cellar. She was still within the family grounds. Above, she could hear the panicked voices and alarm bells—the laboratory fire had triggered a response from the mansion guards.
This was both an opportunity and a danger. The guards were busy, but they were also alert.
