We didn't waste time. Rhea kicked the last fragments of mist from her blade and motioned to the door. "We move. Now."
Vesper's rings glimmered faintly as she whispered a ward over the splintered mirror. Selendra stretched, tail flicking lazily, but even her grin looked a shade thinner.
I forced myself onto my feet. My throat was raw from the reaper's grip, my chest still heaving. Alma gave me nothing. Just a quiet hum from the charm pressed to my palm.
We slipped out into the hall. The boards creaked, but nothing moved. No guests, no footsteps, no breath from below.
The stairwell was worse. Shadows pooled at the edges. The air was heavy, like walking through water. We descended in silence, blades ready, tails tense, charms burning cold.
When we reached the bottom, the front desk was empty. The lantern had burned low.
The innkeeper was gone.
Rhea scanned the corners. "She ran."
"No," I said. My voice shook, but I knew. "She didn't run."
