They pressed their backs to the stone wall just before the heavily secured door. The muffled chatter of guards drifted through the thick metal. About five men were laughing, completely unaware of the dangers lurking mere steps away.
"…and I told him, if the Empress was still out there, she'd have turned us all to ashes by now," one voice boasted.
The other snorted loudly. "Her? She's done. The prince made sure of that."
Seraphina clenched her fists so tight her knuckles turned pale. Lucas could feel the rage building in her aura. Nyx gently held her elbow to steady her before an outburst gave them away.
Their attention shifted to the door. A lattice of glowing runes pulsed faintly across its surface, forming interlocking sigils that sealed the lock in place. A specialized spell. A binding barrier. Intricate enough that even Seraphina looked defeated as she whispered with frustration.
