Every answer creates another mystery.
The hidden doorway stood open before us.
Cold air drifted out of the darkness, carrying the smell of old stone and forgotten secrets.
Neither Kael nor I spoke.
For a long moment, we simply stared at the narrow staircase leading underground.
Finally, Kael drew his sword.
“Stay behind me.”
I folded my arms.
“You know I’m going to say no.”
“I do.”
“So why keep saying it?”
“Because one day you might actually listen.”
I smiled.
“I wouldn’t count on it.”
He sighed.
“You’re going to shorten my life.”
“I thought Lycan Kings lived for hundreds of years.”
“We do.”
“You’ve already taken fifty years off mine.”
Despite the tension, I laughed.
“You exaggerate.”
“I wish I were.”
We carefully descended the spiral staircase.
The deeper we went, t
