Chapter 57 The Watcher's Report

• Miles beneath the eastern mountains, in chambers carved from living stone, candlelight flickered against walls decorated with ancient trophies. Bones of forgotten creatures gleamed white against the darkness, while claws and fangs formed intricate patterns that seemed to shift when viewed directly. The air tasted of copper and old magic.
• A raven-haired woman occupied the obsidian throne at the chamber's heart, her fingers working methodically over a silver ring adorned with sigils that whispered in languages predating human memory. Each rotation sent faint tremors through the stone floor, as though the mountain itself recognized the power contained within that simple band of metal.
• "Everything accelerates beyond our control," growled her hooded companion, voice as rough as grinding stone. The figure paced with restless energy, boots echoing sharply in the confined space. "The Nightshade girl awakens too rapidly. Each day she grows stronger, threatening our entire design."