The shadow of the stranger still lingered in my mind as I paced the grand hall. Every corner of the mansion seemed alive, whispering secrets I couldn't yet understand.
Ethan appeared silently beside me, his presence both comforting and intimidating. "Zyra… you have to decide," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Decide what?" I asked, heart racing.
"Whether you follow your instincts… or obey the rules of this mansion," he replied, his gaze intense. "Some truths are dangerous, Zyra. But some opportunities… only come once."
I swallowed hard. The note, the hidden box, the stranger — everything pointed to one thing: I couldn't stay passive. Something inside me urged me forward, even though fear clawed at my chest.
"I… I don't know if I can trust anyone here," I admitted, my voice trembling.
Ethan reached out, brushing a loose strand of hair from my face. "You can trust me," he said softly. "But the choice is yours. Whatever path you take… it will change everything."
My hands shook as I looked around the room. The mansion's secrets were no longer just whispers; they were calling me, daring me to act.
And I knew… the next step I took would decide my fate — and the fate of those around me.