Teressa’s POV

As I left Josh’s room, the stone corridor felt colder than I remembered, as if the walls themselves had been listening.

Each step echoed softly behind me, heels kissing the ground in measured rhythm. Not rushed. Not triumphant. But certain. I didn’t look back.

Josh wouldn’t follow.

He was already drowning in guilt, exactly as I planned.

The guards at the far end straightened as I passed, offering stiff nods of respect. They still saw me as their Seer, not the serpent. ...