The screams of the prisoner followed them long after they had left the upper chamber.
They echoed through the narrow spiral staircase like a curse that refused to die.
Maria's breathing had grown uneven.
Her hands trembled slightly as she descended the stone steps beside Cassian.
Even now she could still hear the woman's voice inside her mind.
Monster.
The cursed child.
Cassian noticed the faint shaking of her fingers.
Without a word he placed his cloak around her shoulders.
"The air inside this tower is foul. You should not have come here."
Maria stopped halfway down the staircase.
"Cassian…"
Her voice sounded smaller than usual.
"Did you see what happened to her?"
Cassian's jaw tightened.
"Yes."
"Was it… truly magic?"
For a moment he did not answer.
His thoughts were troubled.
Her eyes… they were glowing.
I have never seen anything like that.
But aloud he spoke calmly.
"The witches of Noctyra are known for cruel illusions and twisted spells."
He glanced upward toward the tower chamber.
"That woman likely attempted something reckless and paid the price."
Maria frowned slightly.
"But she looked terrified."
Cassian's expression darkened.
"Fear does not make someone innocent."
They reached the lower floor of the tower where several guards stood waiting.
The captain of the prison bowed immediately.
"Your Highness, forgive the disturbance. The prisoner has been restrained again."
Cassian's voice was cold.
"Double the watch on that cell."
"Yes, my lord."
"And no one is to approach her alone."
The captain hesitated before asking quietly
"Should we summon the royal physicians?"
Cassian paused.
Then he spoke without emotion.
"If she survives the night, then yes."
Maria looked at him in quiet shock.
"You speak as though her life means nothing."
Cassian's gaze softened slightly as he turned toward her.
"In war, compassion can become a dangerous weakness."
Maria said nothing.
Yet her thoughts refused to settle.
Why did she speak of my eyes?
And who was the person she compared me to?
The sea wind struck them sharply as they stepped outside the tower.
For a moment Maria looked back toward the tall dark structure rising above the cliffs.
A strange chill passed through her heart.
It felt as though something had awakened.
Something that had been sleeping quietly inside her all her life.
And far above them in the tower chamber, the silver-haired prisoner lay trembling against the floor.
Her blood still stained the stone beneath her eyes.
And through cracked lips she whispered hoarsely
"So it is true…"
"The child has awakened."