Naomi’s Pov

The tension in the dining hall was suffocating. The air was thick with unspoken words, with doubts, with fear. The flickering light cast long shadows against the stone walls, adding to the eerie stillness that had taken hold of everyone.

Steam curled up from the plates before us, rich with the scent of spiced meats, fresh vegetables, and thick stew. It should have been inviting, comforting even, but instead, it felt like a test. A trap waiting to be sprung.

No one moved. No ...