The next three days crawled by. Erik and Mia spent their time in their small room. They felt trapped and their anxiety growing with each passing hour. Despite their best efforts to remain calm and focus the lack of action gnawed at their nerves.
Each day, they expected something to happen but Valeria didn't say anything to them. Moreover, the promised cure for Liam seemed further away than ever.
Their confinement began to weigh on them. Valeria's guards were stationed at key points throughout the stronghold and barring them from entering most rooms. Any attempt to move beyond the spaces they'd been assigned was met with cold look and refusals.
It was clear Valeria had ordered the guards to restrict their movements. Erik and Mia were outsiders.
Then, suddenly, a knock echoed through the room in the fourth day. The door creaked open, revealing one of Valeria's personal guards.
"Lady Valeria summons you both," the guard said curtly.
