Chapter Fifty-Seven

The three of us moved silently, our footsteps muffled. We peered around corners, our senses heightened. Whenever a guard appeared, Aiden and Calix dispatched them with swift, efficient movements. I watched in awe, a mixture of admiration and fear coursing through me. Their skill was undeniable, yet it was unsettling how easily they could eliminate a threat.

As we reached the staircase leading to the dungeons, our senses sharpened. The narrow, dank hallway was a potential death trap, a single corridor with no escape. Luckily, it appeared the guards were occupied elsewhere.

“Oh my God,” Calix gagged, cutting through the silence. “Why does it smell so horrible?”

“Just ignore it,” Aiden snapped, keeping his attention ahead.

Finally, we entered the prison cells. To our shock, every cell door stood wide open. The cells were empty, save for the lingering stench of despair. My heart pounded as I scanned the dimly lit corridor, searching for any sign of life. Where had everyone gone?