Avery's heart pounded in her chest, the room suddenly feeling smaller, more suffocating. "Why didn't you tell me this sooner?" she whispered, her voice tight with a mix of fear and anger. "Why keep it from me?"
Liana looked away, her expression hard to read. "Because I didn't want to scare you. And because... I hoped you wouldn't go this far."
Avery clenched her fists, frustration and confusion swirling inside her. "But now I'm in too deep, aren't I? There's no turning back. So what am I supposed to do?"
Liana stepped closer, her hand resting on Avery's arm. "You need to be careful, Avery. Every step you take from now on, you're being watched. Every page you turn in that book, someone is waiting to see what you'll find." Her voice dropped even lower, barely a whisper. "And they won't let you walk away easily."
