Evelyn’s POV

Gideon held me close as we stepped carefully out of that cursed chamber. His arms were warm, his grip steady—but the fear hadn’t left me. Something was ahead. I’d heard it. So had he.

I could feel his body tense again.

“Stay behind me,” he murmured.

I nodded, clinging to his shirt as he set me gently on my feet, standing in front of me like a shield.

The tunnel ahead was dim. Still. Too ...