Leonda could barely breathe, a strange sensation of darkness clawing at her, threatening to drag her into its depths. Those not born to darkness had no place dabbling in it—it would inevitably consume them.
After what felt like years of struggle between her pardon—her only connection to the world beyond—and the forces tugging at her body from all directions, Leonda's eyes widened as she found herself before a familiar door. A solitary golden door stood without attachments or supporting structures, its surface gleaming with a radiant sheen.The haggard girl crumpled to the ground, blood oozing from cuts laced with traces of darkness around her face. She retched, emptying her stomach. The boy beside her stepped away, his gaze cold and unfeeling.With growing irritation, he clicked his tongue. "You're making him wait."