Kaiden's eyes snapped open.
He was not alone.
Something was wrong with the air. The room felt colder, heavier, like the space itself had gone tight around his chest. His instincts fired instantly and he rolled halfway to his side, only to freeze when he saw the man standing beside his bed.
It was the same haggard prisoner from the cage.
The bastard was free.
He stood there smiling like a hungry animal, lips split in a grin that showed stained teeth, eyes burning with something ugly and wild. The chains were gone. The filth was still on him, but now it clung like decoration, not misery.
Kaiden did not jump or scream. He only stared.
"How the hell did you get out?" he asked, his voice flat, more confused than afraid.
The man took a slow step closer. The room grew even colder.
"Why do you think they call it the Graven Hall?" the man whispered, licking his lips like he was already tasting Kaiden. "This place doesn't keep monsters locked in. It feeds them."
