~Kaida Orion POV~
A distant creak echoes, and we freeze. Lupus motions for me to stay, as he inspects a statue's base and reveals a hidden latch. The statue shifts aside, revealing a narrow passage downward.
My heart hammers. "Another secret?"
Lupus takes my hand. "I will not let you go alone."
I nod, clinging to him. "Together."
We descend into darkness. Torches line the passage, but some are extinguished. The smell of damp stone and old incense fills me. At the bottom, we enter a small chamber. Candle stubs litter the floor. In the center, a stone basin holds murky water, floated with green petals. Above it, a mirror framed in silver....face cracked.
Lupus steps forward and examines runes carved into the basin's rim....words of invitation, curse, and binding.
He gestures. "The Weaver tried to trap you here....through the reflection. He… wanted to separate you from the pack and from Lupus."
I shiver. "He knew of the bond....how to hurt us."
