The moonlight outside shimmered with an eerie stillness.
Elira stood on the balcony of the prince's chamber, clutching the cold iron railing, every sense on edge.
A strange sound had risen from the depths of the palace. Not footsteps. Not voices.
But… growling.
Low. Guttural. Inhuman.
She backed away from the railing, her breath shallow. What was that?
Curiosity warred with fear, and fear almost won.
Almost.
She glanced at the door. Still unlocked. The guards hadn't come back.
Maybe I can just… take a look.
Elira opened the door gently, peeking into the hallway. It was empty.
Silence.
She crept forward, keeping close to the shadows, her bare feet silent against the polished stone floor. The strange sound grew louder the farther she moved east.
Why does it feel like the walls themselves are warning me to turn around?
She turned a corner and reached a dead-end tapestry—but the sound clearly came from beyond it. Faint... but terrible. Like something large was breathing heavily behind stone.
Her fingers trembled as she pulled the fabric aside.
A narrow passage. Hidden. Dusty. Forgotten by time.
No way this is part of the tour.
Swallowing her fear, she stepped in.
---
Deeper and deeper she walked, until the temperature dropped and her breath clouded in front of her.
Then—a roar.
Raw, violent, and close.
Elira gasped and stumbled backward, but curiosity kept her rooted for a second longer.
She edged around the last bend.
And froze.
Inside a circular chamber lit by glowing runes, stood a creature unlike anything she had ever seen. Towering. Muscular. Covered in black fur. Eyes glowing silver.
Clawed fists slammed against stone as the beast growled in agony.
Oh my god. That's not an animal.
Her breath caught as the beast slowly turned—head snapping in her direction.
It sees me.
She didn't wait to scream.
She turned and ran.
Heart racing, lungs burning, she darted through the narrow hallway, tapestry whipping behind her as she emerged back into the royal corridor. She didn't stop—barely remembering to close the prince's door behind her before she threw the bolt shut.
Elira collapsed against the inside of the door, shaking, gasping for breath.
"What was that…?" she whispered, her voice cracking.
Sweat slicked her palms. Her whole body trembled.
That thing… that sound… that stare.
And the worst part?
Its eyes looked human.