The descent into the lower levels of Ironclad Citadel felt like walking into the throat of the earth.
The air grew progressively colder, thick with the smell of damp stone, iron rust, and old blood. Torchlight flickered against walls carved directly out of obsidian rock, casting long, dancing shadows across the damp corridor.
High Commander Vance led the way, holding an iron lantern that creaked softly with every step. I walked closely behind him, the skirt of my dark gown sweeping over the uneven stone steps. Beside me was Cassian. He wore his heavy velvet coat over dark tunic, his broad shoulders easily filling the narrow corridor. His aura was kept tightly coiled, but the sheer heat radiating off his body cut through the subterranean chill.
Every few steps, my left wrist throbbed. T
