For a moment, I could not hear anything but the sound of my own breathing, ragged.
Then slowly… the noise about me began to fade. Not all at once, but in such a way that set my senses on edge, as though the world itself were withdrawing from me.
I frowned slightly, my fingers still pressed against my neck as I tried to steady myself.
Someone was speaking. I could see their lips moving, yet no sound reached me. Instead, a sharp ringing settled in my ears.
Then I heard my name.
"Adeline…"
My body stilled at once.
That voice. Mother?
My heart gave a painful jolt within my chest. What business had she here? How could she have found me in such a place?
I swallowed, my throat dry and aching as I slowly lifted my head, and froze.
All of them were gone. The maidens. The soldiers. The general. The prince.
Vanished as though they had never been. It was only I… the forest… and that dreadful cave.
And the most terrifying thing was everywhere was dark now.
