Raine’s POV
Lucian’s grip was firm — not painful, just absolute. He took my hand and led me deeper into the castle, down corridors I had never seen. The further we went, the quieter it became. The usual hum of students and tutors died away until the only sound was our boots on stone.
“Where are we going?” I asked, tugging at his hand. My voice bounced off the walls and sounded small.
He did not answer at first. He kept walking, long, steady strides until we reached a heavy steel door set into the wall of the west wing. The air here smelled cold and metallic. My tongue tasted iron.
Lucian pressed his palm to a small panel beside the door. A soft whine, a click, and the sound of chains loosening echoed down the corridor. The door swung open and a dark chamber opened before us.
Silver ch
