It was odd that everything seemed contingent upon her entrance into a restaurant. This was not just any building or just any pub, for that matter. There was something evil about it, and her attraction became stronger the longer she stood before its beckoning arched doorway. It was the gateway to her destiny, the threshold of a new life, and she wanted to be ready.
Maarid grew impatient. She felt his agitation as she hesitated to grasp the moment and take the plunge. His displeasure made her nervous and worried that he would not support her once she entered the building. He assured her that he was not going anywhere, that he was simply excited for what waited for her beyond the gate. Maarid insisted that she take a leap of faith, for she had nothing to lose. That was true. She had nothing—
