Lanling wasn't sure where his best friend was taking him. The descent seemed endless, the stone steps spiraling down into darkness, lit only by faintly glowing sconces that barely kept the abyss at bay.
But despite the unease crawling up his spine, he followed. His trust in Liliana was immense, unwavering even as the oppressive air thickened the deeper they went.
"Seriously, Lili, where are we heading?" His voice echoed slightly in the confined space.
"To fix you."
"Ouch. It's been years since my mom died, I'm over it."
"It's not your mom."
Lanling frowned, taken aback. "If it's not my mom, then who?"
Liliana stopped abruptly and turned. The dim light caught the crimson glow of her eyes, making them shine like twin embers in the void. The anger in them was unmistakable—but there was no malice. It was something else. Something deeper.
For a brief second, she almost looked like a cat, its ears flattened in irritation.
