The footsteps weren't getting louder — in fact, they were growing fainter as William stood there, listening.
They were moving away from him. But the problem was… the sounds were coming from the same direction he needed to go. Which meant it was only a matter of time before he crossed paths with whoever — or whatever — was making them.
He had no idea whether it was the group hired by the noble family to camp near the palace and slowly explore it, or if it was someone else. Or worse… something else.
A sense of dread tightened in his chest. But this was his mission. He couldn't back out now.
Shaking off the negative thoughts, William pressed forward. It didn't take long before the footsteps grew louder again.
He focused carefully, sharpening his hearing — and quickly realized there was more than one person.
A group.
That made things worse. If they were powerful, a direct confrontation would be risky.
