Aire rested her fingers against the bronze handle and listened.
There was not a single voice beyond the chamber, but she waited anyway.
Only after another long moment did she slowly pull the door inward.
It opened without the slightest sound.
Aire smiled. She slipped toward the narrow opening.
However, the smile disappeared when she stumbled upon two guards standing directly outside.
Neither moved, nor blinked.
Their towering figures were clad in black armor. They regarded her with unreadable expressions. Their spears rested against the marble floor, but Aire had no doubt they could lift them faster than she could breathe.
For one unfortunate heartbeat, her own heartbeat stopped.
She had expected corridors, silence, and freedom. At the very least, directions.bInstead she had found a wall of muscle and steel.
Aire recovered almost instantly.
The surprise never reached her face.
