The corridor is an echo of forgotten paths, tucked away in an untraveled sector of the estate, far from the drama of assemblies, watchers, and the robed conspiracies that pepper every corner of my new life. A pair of tall windows at each end allow the moonlight to slant across the floor, illuminating a dusting of motes drifting lazily in the hush. Within this tranquil space, I can almost believe the vow’s hold is lessened. Almost, but not quite.
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Each step I take resonates with an undercurrent of tension, as though every stone slab underfoot vibrates with the vow’s relentless hum. I sense him before I see him, a telltale shift in the air, a prickling awareness that stirs at the base of my spine. My pulse flutters, half rebellious excitement, half dread. Why did he summon me here, at thi
