VENUSHer lips quiver before she nods, watery eyes cast downward.She leads us toward a dusty shelf at the far end of the library. I’ve never seen anyone use it. Carefully, she pulls out a faded book. It clicks like a lever, and suddenly the whole shelf lurches forward and slides sideways with a low rumble, revealing a small door embedded in the stone wall behind it.From her pocket, Ava pulls out a golden key and inserts it into the lock. With a soft click, the door creaks open.Darkness looms on the other side.I step forward to peek inside, but something about the pitch-black void makes my stomach twist. I glance at Ava. What if it’s a trap?Alex must be thinking the same thing, because he grabs Ava’s arm."You’re coming with us."Ava stiffens, clearly terrified but she doesn’t argue.We step inside, the air immediately colder, pricking my skin. Ava walks beside us, her posture stiff in fear as the door creaks shut behind. A narrow staircase spirals downward into darkness. The onl
Last Updated : 2025-11-30 Read more