Elara’s POV
The tunnels were quiet except for the sound of our footsteps echoing against the damp stone walls. Sabrina walked ahead of me, her movements purposeful, her eyes scanning the path for any sign of danger. She had been tense since we entered, her usual confidence replaced with a cold focus.
I stayed close, gripping the small dagger she had given me earlier. "Do you think anyone followed us?" I asked, my voice low, trying not to let the unease creep in.
Sabrina didn’t answer right away. When she did, her tone was clipped. "It doesn’t matter. If they did, we deal with it."
Before I could respond, a noise behind us made us both stop. It was faint but distinct—the soft scuff of a boot against stone. Sabrina turned sharply, her claws extending.
"Who's there?" she called out, her voice steady.
A figure stepped into the dim light of the tunnel. It was Aurelio.
"Aurelio?" Sabrina’s voice was filled with confusion, her claws retracting slightly.