"You're really weird, asking me all these questions," the girl giggled.
"Sorry, I've just had bad experiences before."
Even though he wasn't trying to be rude, his fear of being exploited lingered, making him cautious.
"It's fine," she said, waving her hand dismissively.
Asher pushed himself up, though his body still felt heavy, burdened by a strange weakness he couldn't shake.
He took in the room around him. The walls, floor, and even the furniture were made entirely of oak wood.
An array of thick chairs, a long table, and what looked like a large bookshelf filled the room, all made from wood that had a natural sheen.
His eyes also ran over the stained glass windows on the side, their colorful panels casting soft, fractured light across the room.
Instead of the usual reds, yellows, and greens, the colors were cooler—with deep blues and purples that felt almost dreamlike.
