AT THE SAME TIME
ISABELLA
Every candle in the mansion ignited at once. Not one by one, not dramatically, not politely, but all at once. The flames roared to life in a violent golden bloom, and the entire hall transformed from dusty ruin to theatrical nightmare in less than a heartbeat. Shadows leapt up the cracked walls. The chandelier above us flickered like it had been waiting for its cue, the air grew warmer, heavier. I flinched so hard I nearly dropped the rose rings.
"SHOW-OFF DETECTED." The system commented blandly in my vision.
"Shut up." I whispered under my breath.
