"Is there another way out of here?" Thorne inquired urgently, his gaze flickering between Gabriel and Marcus as the impending threat loomed closer. Gabriel's response was swift, his voice tinged with a hint of resignation. "The only alternative route lies through Lake Taurenz, but it's distant, and not all of us possess the ability to swim," he explained, his eyes settling on Isabella, a subtle implication that did not escape Celeste's notice, stirring irritation within her.
As Marcus regained his composure, Darius wasted no time in pressing for crucial information. "How many guards were with your father?" he inquired, his tone brimming with intensity. Marcus's response was grim. "There were many," he admitted. Darius pressed further, demanding a precise count. "Up to twenty, I suppose," Marcus estimated, his words hanging heavily in the air.
