Ten minutes passed.
The shadows outside the cavern rippled again, and three figures emerged from the cave's entrance. Emma, Evelyn, and Elunara moved quickly, their eyes immediately darting to Seralyth.
"Where is Lucy?" Emma asked, breathless.
Seralyth didn't flinch. "Inside."
"What?" Evelyn's tone sharpened. "You really sent her in there alone?"
"How long has she been gone for?" Emma pressed, her voice rising. "Why—why would you—"
Seralyth finally looked at them, her gaze calm but cold. "I don't have time to coddle anyone. He's in there, and someone had to go."
Emma's fists clenched, trembling. Evelyn held her arm, restraining her from stepping closer. Elunara, however, only stared at her mother, something hard in her eyes.
"You knew what would happen," Elunara said quietly.
Seralyth didn't deny or agree to it.
The cave groaned again, a heavy breath of air pushing from its depths. None of them moved.
[Inside the demon realm]
