*Chapter 9: The Warning*
Emily's eyes locked onto Malcolm's, searching for answers. "What do you mean?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "What's wrong with the statue?"
Malcolm's grip on her wrist tightened, his eyes burning with an intense gaze. "The statue has a...power," he said, his voice low and mysterious. "It can show you things, reveal secrets and desires. But it's not something to be trifled with. Once you see, you can't unsee."
Emily felt a shiver run down her spine as she pulled her wrist free. "I don't understand," she said, her mind racing with questions.
Malcolm's smile was enigmatic. "You will," he said, his voice dripping with an otherworldly certainty. "Soon enough, you will."
As he spoke, the wind picked up, rustling the leaves and sending the statue's eyes seeming to gleam with an otherworldly light. Emily felt a sense of foreboding wash over her, as if something was watching her, waiting for her to make a move.
Suddenly, a figure appeared at the edge of the garden, their face obscured by shadows. "Malcolm," they called, their voice low and urgent. "It's time."
Malcolm's eyes flicked towards the figure, and for a moment, Emily saw a glimmer of something almost like fear. But it was quickly replaced by his usual suave demeanor. "Excuse me, Emily," he said, his voice smooth as silk. "I have some...business to attend to."
To Be Continued...