Leo shook his head again. A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips. He looked up toward the second floor. His hand, still gripping the rail, steadied.
His feet moved, slowly but surely, up the staircase—the very steps he had never climbed before in this house. Something pulled him. Maybe the words. Maybe the feeling in his chest. But whatever it was… he wasn't going to lose his grip this time.
He had to move forward.
Because somewhere… Ophis was still waiting.
And he wasn't going to let her down.
He moved to the second floor.
There were two rooms—one belonged to his aunt. The other... he guessed must have been his parents' room.
Leo paused in front of the second door. His fingers hovered over the handle as he hesitated, a strange unease rising in his chest. He took a quiet breath, as if steadying his heart, and then pushed the door open.
