Ellie’s POV
The dungeon never really slept. Water kept dripping from somewhere, slow and steady, like a heartbeat in the dark. I hugged my knees, trying to keep the cold from sinking too deep. Above me I could hear voices, faint and broken through the boards.
“moon reaches its peak tomorrow”
“Lady Fiona says the vessel is almost ready”
Vessel? My stomach tightened.
A rusty hinge squeaked. A guard walked by with a lantern, light flashing through the bars for just a second. When his steps faded, the whispers started again, low gossip and soft laughter that slid into my head like tiny knives .
The vessel. Tomorrow night.
I shut my eyes and tried to focus. A memory came back, slow and clear.
I was small again, sitting on the carpet in Father’s study. Books everywhere, smelling like ced
