I made my way down into the deepest subterranean levels of the Raith Manor, past the wine cellars and the standard storage vaults, until the masonry turned from clean, cut marble to ancient, moss-slicked bedrock.
The heavy iron key felt like a block of ice in my pocket. I knew this place was something special, even though I never came here before.
During the gifting ceremony, the moment Cassandra had pressed this iron key into my hand, father's face had turned an apocalyptic shade of purple. He had glared absolute daggers at her, his mana flaring so violently it had nearly cracked the crystal glasses nearby.
Why did she give it to me? Why risk Father's absolute wrath just to hand a family disgrace the key to a forbidden vault?
I didn't know her angle yet, but I wasn't about to let the opportunity slip away.
Finally, I reached the end of the damp, stone corridor.
