CHAPTER 25: HIDDEN IN SECRETS
It had been hours since anyone came near her.
The chains had long since rubbed her wrists raw. The collar clung to her neck like a curse. Her throat burned from thirst. And her abdomen throbbed—more insistently now. A low, steady ache that seemed to deepen with each breath.
She didn’t sleep anymore.
Sleep was dangerous here.
In the shadows, things moved. Whispers slithered. Footsteps echoed.
But tonight... something was different.
Muffled voices drifted from beyond the rusted cell door. Catleya kept still, pressing herself deeper into the cold stone wall, forcing her ragged breathing to quiet. She focused, straining to catch every word.
It was Kaya’s voice—low, sharp, amused.
“...She’s not gonna last much longer, I’m telling you. She’s burning up. Tha
