My heart started to pound as I heard the voice softly chuckle. Since I was still watching the Empress, I saw the moment her mask was firmly put in place.
"How do you know that name?" she asked, looking at the intruder in the hall. "And how did you get in here?"
"I know a lot of names," smiled Aunt Hattie as she strolled forward like she didn't have a care in the world. Then again, knowing Aunt Hattie, she really didn't. "And I make it a habit of getting into places that I shouldn't."
"Someone!" called out the Empress before I could stop her. "Is there anyone there?"
Shi Yaozu seemingly materialized out of a shadow in a corner and approached us, but I held up my hand. "If you're smart, you'll stay put right there."
His blank eyes turned to me, and I had never seen such a cold look on his face as he disregarded my words. "Seriously, Shi Yaozu," I called out, almost a little desperate. "Don't do anything that you'll regret."
