SELENE POV
A white string of light flowed like water from the inscription, tangled itself around the statue. Dragging her back to the platform, she resisted, her feet sinking to the ground. She screamed, a silent scream without a single sound heard. Her mouth ...was void. I just stood three feet away from the platform watching as she was dragged back on the platform. Her eyes locked onto mine with raw rage, wide and unblinking.
Then she froze.
She didn't move anymore. As if she had never moved at all.
Clang.
The marble was restored to its normal state. With no crack. Unbroken. It was like nothing ever happened. But the aching in my ribs says otherwise.
Swoosh.
The golden skirt of the statue parted. Revealing a gap you can't ignore at the center of her skirt. It was an opening . An invitation. I guess... that's our way out.
I glanced back. Eve and Katherine approached slowly, stopping beside me. They didn't speak. No questions. No demands about how I'd read the inscription. We'd all silently agreed no time for explanations. At least not now. I took a deep breath, clenching my hands at my side and stepped through.
I closed my eyes ... then opened them slowly, ready to go through another life-threatening disaster. I blinked. Once. Twice. Well, what I'm seeing right now isn't what I was expecting, it looks like_
Is this ...the palace?
"We are at the palace," Eve muttered.
We are at the palace!
The walls and floor were covered in white marble, torch lights illuminated up the whole space. The pillars were painted in gold. I looked behind, a painting of an oak tree was painted directly on the wall. It's funny how an innocent- looking painting leads directly to a psychopath monster.
Tap. tap.
Someone was coming.
We rushed behind a thick purple velvet curtain, holding our breath. We waited till we couldn't hear them anymore.
"Pweh, that was close" I sighed in relief.
The hallway was divided into three, with rows of doors. I wondered how many rooms this castle has. The air smelled ancient, something unaffected by time. I tilted my head to the left. "Let's separate"
"No! It's dangerous, it's better we stick together" Katherine said firmly.
"We will be able to cover more ground this way"
"She is right," Eve added, staring ahead at nothing in particular.
Katherine Swiftly turned her head towards Eve. "Not you too, Eve"
Eve shrugged. " I'm taking the front"
"We don't even know where the Queen's room is" Katherine said, glancing at us, her eyes pleading: let's stick together.
"If you see the woman in the drawing, shout..as loud as you can"
"Wait, that's the plan," Katherine said, dumbfounded. "You've got to be kidding me right now"
"Think about it, if you scream we will be able to know you've found her. It's not as we have walkie-talkie here. It doesn't matter if the guards come since we will be coming for you too" I explained, more to myself. To convince myself that this will work.
"True,"Eve said, thoughtfully. "And if we run into any guards we might be struck down before we could even speak."
My breath hitched.
"Wow! So great" Katherine said, her hands in the air. " I don't have to worry about monsters trying to kill me now, since humans has taken its place."
"I guess," I mumbled.
Katherine folded her arms on her chest, her glare sharp enough to cut through the marble. " So we're betting our lives on this plan? A plan that doesn't make sense. Brilliant. How brilliant." She said, throwing her head back.
I opened my mouth to argue, but Eve cuts, her voice low and steady." Then we don't get caught _ We move careful and fast_ Stay in the shadows. I will take the front corridor, you two take the sides. Whoever finds the Queen, shout as loud as you can, we will come to you."
She paused.
"And most importantly. .. Stay alive."
The air stilled.
Katherine slowly nodded, her eyes clearly has more protest in them but she chose to accept it. She knew we were right, it will be much easier for us. Yes, it's risky but it's better than being stuck together and maybe possibly killed. This was the best plan we can come up with.
Katherine took a deep breath, dragging her hand across her face. " Fine, but if I die here. I'm haunting the both of you till you join me in the afterlife."
"Deal" I said, trying to force a small smile.
Eve walked ahead, she didn't even glance back, her footsteps swallowed by the red rug beneath her feet. Katherine held my hand, squeezing it gently, her grey eyes softening. Then she turned to the left, walking away.
I stared at her back. "Be safe" I whispered softly, turning to the right, each step I took heavy. I have to find my mother's sister fast.
I walked through the corridor, pressing my ear against each door, trying to listen for sound or any human movement before opening them slightly to peek. I continued doing that. Door after door, losing count of so many empty rooms I passed.
Step. Step.
Someone was coming.
And not just one.
I could hear the sound of boots.
So many of them
"Have you patrolled the East Wing"
"Yes Vice commander"
My pulse quickened.
This is bad.
I didn't have time to think. The only thing in my mind was that I need to hide. That I can't get caught.
I quickly opened the door in the left and slipped inside.That was a big mistake, maybe if I had just entered the one in the right I wouldn't be in this position.
I felt a lunge on my throat, I was scared to even breath loudly as a cold knife was pressed on my throat, my back hitting a warm solid surface.
A voice_ deep, raspy and rough whispered dangerously close to my ears. "What are you doing here?".
A shiver ran down my spine.
I hiccupped.
God, I'm screwed.