Anne stepped through the mansion's gates, and the air immediately felt heavier. Shadows clung to the walls, the chandeliers dimmed as if the light itself had been strangled, and the corridors seemed longer than before—stretching like a labyrinth designed to swallow her whole.
She moved quickly, calling out for Zahir, for Mira, for Egry, but her voice echoed back unanswered. The silence was suffocating.
From the far end of the hall, Mrs. Hodgins emerged. Her smile was sharp, her eyes gleaming with cruel amusement. "Well, look who decided to come back," she said, her tone dripping with mockery. "I know you'd say it's not pleasant, but wouldn't you agree there's some charm in this place after all?"
Anne's jaw tightened. She dropped to her knees, her body trembling with both fear and defiance. Before she could speak, the Chancellor stepped out from Bungo's monstrous form, his smirk wide and satisfied. "Mrs. Hodgins," he drawled, "I delivered your food. Now my reward."
Hodgins sighed, almost theatrically, before taking his hand. A faint glow passed between them, something unseen yet palpable, and the Chancellor's grin widened as if he had just tasted victory.
Then Hodgins turned her attention to Anne. She walked closer, her heels clicking against the stone floor, and leaned down. "Help me with something," she said.
Anne's brow furrowed. "What?"
"Think about Zahir," Hodgins whispered. "Think about how bad he is for you. Think about how you hate him."
Anne's heart twisted. Confusion clouded her mind. "Why… why would I do that?"
"Just do it," Hodgins pressed, her voice sharp.
And then Anne understood. Hodgins was trying to force a contract with Zahir, to bind him through Anne's resentment. Anne's eyes widened, her breath quickened, but she shook her head. "No. I know you want Zahir, but I'm not going to do it."
Hodgins smirked, her patience unbroken. She turned to the Chancellor. "Are you sure?" she asked, her voice sly.
The air split open. A gate appeared, glowing faintly, and on the other side stood Mira—crippled, broken, her body drenched in blood. Beside her was Egry, her face hollow with grief and guilt.
Anne's heart shattered at the sight. She reached out instinctively, but the gate held her back. Hodgins' voice rang out, cruel and commanding. "Egry. Do it."
Egry's body trembled, her eyes wide with terror. She looked at Mira, then at Anne, and tears streamed down her face. She was trapped, bound by Hodgins' will, and Anne could only watch as the command took hold.
To be continued…