The dungeon walls closed in around them, damp and heavy with the weight of centuries. Erik moved quickly, his arms locked around Rey's frail body. Every step echoed, but he didn't falter—he knew exactly where to go.
At the far end of the corridor, he pressed his shoulder against a slab of uneven stone. The wall groaned, and with the strength that still hummed red in his veins, he shoved it aside, revealing a narrow passage shrouded in darkness.
The air was colder here, sharp and biting as it funnelled through the hidden tunnel. Erik ducked inside, the stone brushing his shoulders as he carried her through. The only sound was his uneven breath and the faint whimper Rey made against his chest, so soft it nearly shattered him.
"Hold on," he whispered hoarsely, his voice cracking in a way h
