He hesitated, the tension palpable in the air as he carefully selected his words. "It is about Scarlet, the recruit," he began, his tone low and serious. "Eliza has raised some alarming concerns regarding her loyalty."
Her features shifted from concern to gravity. "What kind of concerns?" she pressed, sensing the potential implications.
As he spoke, her face transformed, each word deepening the lines of worry etched across her brow.
"I see," she said finally, her voice barely above a whisper when he concluded. "I've had doubts about Scarlet, though I dismissed them at first. I thought she was... overly enthusiastic."
His expression darkened, skepticism flickering in his eyes. "Enthusiastic? High Priestess, we can't afford to take risks like this. If Scarlet is indeed working against us, we must uncover her true intentions."
Daria nodded slowly, her mind racing with the implications of this revelation. "Let's invite her for interrogation; we need to get to the bottom of this before it escalates. In the meantime, we must enhance security around the sanctuary. If Scarlet is a traitor, the safety of our entire operation hangs in the balance."
Determination steeled, resolve shining through his troubled exterior. "Consider it done. I'll assign additional guards to the perimeter and ensure they keep a vigilant watch on Scarlet."
Greylock exited the hall, leaving Daria alone in the dimly lit space. A gnawing sensation of dread settled in her chest, a relentless whisper that they might be spiraling into grave danger from within their ranks. He made his way across the sunlit courtyard, expression steady and neutral as he approached her.
"Scarlet," he began, his voice laced with authority and courtesy, "I need to ask you some questions."
She glanced up, her brow slightly furrowing in response to the intensity of his gaze. A flicker of caution danced in her eyes as she replied, "I'm listening, Colonel."
He stepped closer, his piercing gaze locking onto hers with unyielding scrutiny. "So," he pressed, each word measured, "what were you looking for in the forbidden area?"
Her soft and melodic voice held a hint of innocence that danced in the air. "I was simply curious, Colonel," she said, her bright eyes wide with feigned sincerity. "I happened upon a hidden passage and thought it might lead to a new storage room."
A brow arched skeptically, a flicker of suspicion crossing his features. "Are you suggesting you can locate a storage room in the forbidden area?"
Scarlet met his gaze steadily, her expression unyielding. "I had no intention of intruding on anything important," she replied, her tone unwavering, almost defiant.
His scrutiny deepened, a piercing intensity radiating from him. "I've been keeping an eye on you, Scarlet. Your curiosity knows no bounds, and your nosiness is alarming. There's something you're not telling me."
Her smile was disarmingly sweet, an insincere charm woven into the fabric of her words. "I assure you, I'm just a simple servant trying to fulfill my duties," she said, her voice smooth as silk, masking the depths of her true intentions.
Greylock snorted dismissively, the sharp sound slicing through the tension in the air. "Save it, Scarlet. I've encountered your type many times before. You're a spy, and I expect you to reveal who you're working for."
The eyes sparkled with defiance, a fire simmering beneath her calm exterior. "I have no idea what you're talking about. Even if I did, betraying my trust is not an option."
He leaned closer, the intensity of his gaze piercing through her composed facade. His voice dropped to a menacing growl, vibrating with a threat. "You're playing with fire."
Unfazed, her gaze met his with an unyielding resolve, her expression a fortress of defiance. "I'm just a servant. I steer clear of the kitchen and the conspiracies that poach there."
Greylock sneered, a bitter twist curling his lips. "I can see the deceit cloaked in your eyes. So tell me, what's your true purpose in this place?"
Her gaze turned icy, filled with an unsettling intensity. "Perhaps I'm not the only one with secrets, Colonel. Maybe you're hiding something too," she challenged her voice smooth yet carrying an underlying weight.
His eyes narrowed, sharp and discerning like a hawk sizing up its prey. "You're trying to distract me with rumors and lies, Scarlet. But I'm not falling for it. You've been sneaking around, digging into matters not your concern."
For a fleeting moment, her confident smile wavered, the faintest crack in her facade, before she regained her composure like a seasoned performer in the spotlight. "I have no idea what you're implying, but I'm free to walk around, right?" she replied, feigning innocence as she arched an eyebrow.
Greylock let out a low, mocking chuckle, a sound that reverberated with authority. "Oh, but I think you do. Don't play dumb with me, Scarlet. There is evidence; I know you've been dispatching messages in secret."
Her eyes widened, a fleeting spark of fear flickering across her features like a candle threatened by a gust of wind. Yet, she quickly masked it, attempting to bluff her way through, though the pallor on her face betrayed her inner turmoil. Greylock sensed like a predator poised to strike.
Her eyes ignited with a ferocious blend of anger and desperation as he closed in, the tension in the air thickening. "You'll never prove anything!" she spat defiantly, her spirit pushing back against the encroaching shadows of defeat.
At that moment, her defiance flickered, but beneath her fierce exterior. Her mission had unraveled, hanging by the thinnest of threads, and she felt the weight of failure pressing upon her like a heavy shroud.
As Greylock edged nearer, a surge of adrenaline flooded her veins, igniting the senses with an electric urgency. The thundering of her heart echoed in her ears, compelling her to spring into action before the looming threat of capture and the dark specter of interrogation could become her reality, every instinct screaming for her to evade the impending danger.
With a swift and practiced motion, she drew her dagger from its sheath, the blade catching the faint light and reflecting it with a fierce gleam. Greylock swiftly assessed and flicked his wrist, sending the strike off course with effortless finesse.
Unfazed by the peril surrounding her, Scarlet spun with the elegance of a dancer, her eyes sweeping across the vast courtyard in search of an escape route. The towering stone walls encircled her, and a dozen guards stood vigilant, their gleaming swords held aloft, the metal reflecting shards of the fading sunlight.
Each heartbeat felt amplified as the burden of her situation clung to her, heavy and unyielding, like a thick cloak draped over her shoulders, threatening to pull her down into despair. Every pair of eyes was riveted on her, tracking her every move with an intensity that sent shivers down her spine.
"It's over," he growled, his voice a low rumble filled with menace. "You're not going anywhere." At that moment, a vivid flash of memory surged through her mind, igniting her survival instincts. She recalled the small pouch of powder she had meticulously concealed within her belt, a tiny weapon of desperation.
She slipped her hand, feeling the smooth fabric against her fingertips. In an instant, she unleashed the powder into the air, a sparkling cloud that danced and swirled, obscuring her surroundings and buying her precious seconds to escape.
The granules blazed like tiny stars as they burst forth, showering his face in a blinding cascade. He let out an angry curse, the sound distorted as the sharp stings of the particles blurred his vision. Amidst the turmoil, Scarlet seized her chance and sprinted towards the courtyard before her.
She sprinted through the dimly lit corridors, the resonating sound of heavy boots thudding behind her like a storm closing in. With each powerful stride, she felt the cool air whip past her, propelling her closer to the elusive exit that promised freedom.
The metallic tang of fear mixed with the musty scent of forgotten stone as she navigated the labyrinthine layout, each turn familiar to her as if etched into her memory. The guards were relentless, their shouts echoing off the walls.