Miri's Pov
The thud came again.
Heavier this time.
It wasn't just sound—it was pressure. A deep, dragging weight pressing down on my ribs, sinking into my bones like someone had reached inside and switched on gravity at its highest setting.
I stumbled. My knees buckled slightly, caught only because Riven steadied me with a quiet, "Easy." Even he sounded shaken.
For the first time since this whole ridiculous prank of his had started, his grin was gone.
"Okay," he said, eyes scanning the ceiling of the chamber. "That… wasn't me."
"You think?" I bit out, voice sharper than I meant. But the memory of my earlier panic was still fresh—and now it was back with company.
Caius stepped forward, body shifting just slightly into a more guarded posture. "Let's find the exit. Now."
There were no objections.
