The soldier, towering and formidable, blocked Ember's path, his gaze piercing through the dimly lit crypt. Ember's heart pounded in her chest, fear gripping her as she realized her vulnerability.
Her mind raced, thoughts rumbling in a frantic attempt to create an escape plan, but her body froze in place, trapped between the soldier and the ghastly discovery behind her.
The soldier's eyes narrowed, a hint of recognition flickering across his face. Ember's breath paused, her facade of immobility threatened by the soldier's unexpected presence.
Before she could react, the soldier's voice sliced through the tense air, his tone filled with a mixture of astonishment and suspicion. "Mrs. Silvermane, You... you're not supposed to be here. What are you doing here?"
Ember's mind raced, panic ris
