The hallway leading to the cellar was eerie and so quiet that I could hear my own heart thudding against my chest. Each step echoed too loudly, like the sound was trying to warn me to turn back. I didn't want Darek to know I was coming, but it was probably too late.
The door at the end of the hall stood massive and metallic, carved with faint sigils that glowed a dull green. I'd never seen markings like those before but when I bent to inspect them, I realised they were actually made of Stargar Stones built into the metal.
It looked less like a door and more like the mouth of a beast waiting to swallow whoever was foolish enough to step through. But behind that door lay an even bigger beast and I'd be a fool if I wasn't expecting peak manipulation in there.
I hesitated.
Avelora's voice whispered at the back of my mind, saying, 'You have nothing to fear. '
Right.
