He stepped back, the air warping with his presence. The torches flickered, shadows bending unnaturally. Evelisse clutched Caelith's arm, his shallow breaths warm against her hand.
The messenger's voice rang out one last time, dripping with malice.
"Sleep well, little lamb. And dream of the day your mask shatters. When it does… I will be there to watch you fall."
♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡
The last echo of the messenger's cruel laughter clung to the air, then dissolved into nothingness along with his shadowed form. The oppressive magic that had locked the room shimmered and shattered like glass, the veil lifted in an instant. The suffocating pressure was gone.
Lady Marwen blinked rapidly, her eyes widening as if waking from a dream. She gasped, clutching at her chest before whipping her head around—her composure gone, horror dawning as her gaze landed on Caelith crumpled against the stone floor.
