The torches on the stone walls flickered, casting dancing shadows across the narrow underground chamber. The air was damp, silent — except for the soft echo of footsteps approaching from a hidden corridor.
Sephrina stepped into the room, her emerald cloak trailing behind her. Cedric stood at the center, arms crossed, a smug smirk curling on his lips.
"Well, well," Cedric drawled, "Look who finally slithered in."
Sephrina rolled her eyes, "I was tied up. Watching Alaric rot in that dungeon is more fun than I expected."
Cedric laughed darkly, leaning against the old stone table. "You should have seen his face when I told him he was all mouth. All that ambition and no bite."
Sephrina smirked, brushing imaginary dust off her glove. "Honestly, I expected more from him. But he was just a pawn. Now…" she narrowed her eyes, "Lucien. He's the real threat."
Cedric's smile faded slightly.
