The limo's interior lights flickered, casting jagged shadows across the leather seats as chains slithered across the floor like metallic serpents. Their glint in the dim light was unnatural, each link pulsing with a faint crimson glow that seemed to drink in the surrounding darkness. The air inside the vehicle grew heavy, thick with a metallic tang that clung to the back of Charles's throat. The chains moved with purpose, coiling toward his legs with a cold, relentless pull, as if they were alive and hungry.
Mia pressed herself against the far seat, her knuckles white as she gripped the armrest. Her wide eyes darted between the chains and Charles, her voice trembling but sharp. "Charles—!"
