**
"Hello."
Ember froze on her seat, unable to fully process the sight before her. It was like she was being transported to a totally different world, unable to feel her feet or gain a proper footing.
She opened her mouth, then closed it again, unable to muster a single word. Her mind, once filled with thoughts of how she would deal with the Sea Grace now came up blank as if all her thoughts had been wiped away by some supernatural powers.
The man before her stared at her strangely, then frowned. "I wasn't aware that you are incapable of speaking. That is news to me."
Hearing him speak was like the grumbling sound before an earthquake fully took over. But now, he was already thinking of her dumb. But what did she expect? At least five minutes must have passed since he said 'hello', and yet she remained spellbound still.
That had to change. She must break away from his spell.
