Liora
The front gates of the castle loomed ahead, tall and ancient, carved with snarling wolves and curling vines of power long since sealed into the stone. They didn’t creak so much as they breathed, like they sensed us standing there.
And tension.
Behind me, I could hear Jessica fidgeting with her bracelet, trying too hard not to say anything first. The others were buzzing low with excitement, the kind that made people ask dumb questions just to fill the silence. Even Mia looked conflicted, part awe, part suspicion. But I didn’t speak.
Because I wanted to see how far Bianca would take this lie.
I had no clue how she was planning to open this door. No theory, no guess. I’m certain she’ll fail. There were rules to these gates, old ones. They didn’t bow to crowns or reputations. Only b
