Lilith's words sent a surge of adrenaline through Emily's veins. She glanced around, her eyes scanning the deserted streets of Tidal Cove. The sound of footsteps grew louder, and Ryan instinctively positioned himself between Emily and the approaching figures.
"We need to get out of here, now," Lilith repeated, her voice firm.
Ava nodded, already moving swiftly down the street. "Follow me."
They weaved through the narrow alleys of Tidal Cove, their footsteps echoing off the buildings. Emily's heart pounded in her chest as she struggled to keep up with Ava's pace.
As they turned a corner, Emily caught a glimpse of their pursuers. A group of hooded figures, their faces obscured by the shadows.
"Who are they?" Emily whispered to Ryan.
Ryan's expression was grim. "I don't know, but we need to lose them."
Lilith suddenly stopped, her eyes fixed on a nearby building. "In here."
She pushed open the door, revealing a dimly lit stairway that descended into darkness. Ava hesitated, her eyes locked onto Lilith's.
"Trust me," Lilith said, her voice firm.
Ava nodded, and they followed Lilith down the stairs. The air grew colder, the darkness seeming to press in around them.
As they reached the bottom, Emily saw that they were in some sort of hidden chamber. The walls were lined with ancient artifacts, and the air was thick with the scent of incense.
Lilith turned to face them, her eyes gleaming in the dim light. "Welcome to the heart of Tidal Cove's secrets."
But before Lilith could reveal more, the sound of footsteps echoed down the stairs. The hooded figures had found them.