Daniel immediately clamped a hand over her mouth, smothering the scream before it could echo through the chamber. Her muffled cries vibrated against his palm for several tense seconds before gradually fading into silence.
"Calm down, lady. I don't want to get caught. Shh! Quiet," he whispered, his warm breath brushing softly against her cheek.
Floryn froze beneath his hand, heart hammering against her chest, each beat loud enough to hear in her ears. Frightened breaths came quick and shallow, but little by little, they began to slow.
Then a thought struck her.
If he really were a ghost, how could she feel his hand against her mouth?
A ghost shouldn't be able to touch her.
Floryn's fear eased slightly as she stared at him, confusion slowly replacing the panic in her eyes.
"Mm… hmm," she murmured, her words muffled beneath his palm.
Only after she had calmed down did Daniel slowly remove his hand from her mouth and murmur in a low voice,
"Status."
——————
