Chapter 52

• The grand gates of Lord Darius's estate creaked open, revealing a vast courtyard illuminated by cold, silver light. Amara, Xander, and Asher exchanged wary glances as they stepped forward, their footsteps echoing against the stone path. The mansion loomed before them, a masterpiece of gothic architecture with sharp spires and intricate carvings that seemed to watch them as they approached. The air was cold, tinged with an eerie silence that heightened the sense of unease.
• Amara adjusted the strap of her bag, where the artifact rested, its faint glow barely visible. She could feel its energy pulsing steadily, a reminder of the power and responsibility she carried. Asher broke the silence, his voice low but laced with his usual irreverent charm.
• “Well, they certainly don’t believe in subtlety, do they?”