Emma and William, with Nana resting comfortably in the former's arms, followed the master of the tower deeper into the chamber. The stone corridor grew colder and quieter the further they walked, as if the tower itself were holding its breath.
Venessa followed closely behind them, her footsteps soft yet hesitant. Kaizek, however, remained firmly in place near the entrance of the earlier hall. He made no move to join them.
It was clear he had already predicted where this encounter would lead. Family drama was something he had no interest in witnessing—not when the outside world offered far more pleasant scenery than the tension building within these walls.
When Emma stepped into the room where her father usually spent hours reading and studying ancient texts, she froze mid-stride.
The familiar scent of old paper and incense faded from her awareness as her eyes locked onto the object Vitori was dragging forward.
