Veil of Shadows

Escape

The tunnel stretched on, the dim light from Kael's torch casting long shadows along the stone walls. Ariana moved beside him, her mind racing with a hundred different thoughts, but none louder than the presence of the prince at her side.

She kept one hand on the ancient book, the other resting lightly on her dagger. The tunnel was narrow, forcing them to walk closer than she would've liked, and every few steps, her shoulder brushed against his.

"Do you always drag unsuspecting thieves into dark tunnels?" Ariana asked, breaking the silence.

Kael glanced at her, the corner of his mouth quirking up into a smirk. "Only the ones who steal from my family."

Ariana rolled her eyes, but she couldn't help the slight smile that tugged at her lips. "I didn't realize you were so sentimental about old books."

Kael shrugged, his tone light. "I've always had a soft spot for ancient magical tomes that could destroy the world."

"Charming," she muttered, her fingers tightening around the book's cover. She could feel its strange energy pulsing beneath her fingertips, a constant reminder of just how dangerous this job had become.

They walked in silence for a few more steps before Kael spoke again, his voice more serious this time. "You really don't know what you're holding, do you?"

Ariana shot him a sidelong glance. "I know it's valuable. And that's enough for me."

Kael raised an eyebrow. "Valuable? You're underselling it. That book could change the fate of kingdoms."

"Good thing I'm not interested in kingdoms," she replied smoothly, stepping over a loose stone in the path. "I'm just here for the payday."

Kael chuckled under his breath, shaking his head. "You have a fascinating way of simplifying things, Reaper."

Ariana's lips twitched at the nickname, though she wasn't sure if she found it irritating or amusing. "I prefer practical."

"Of course you do," he said, his eyes glinting with amusement as they caught hers briefly. "But practicality has its limits. Especially when magic is involved."

"Magic is nothing but trouble," Ariana muttered, her fingers brushing against the necklace hidden beneath her cloak. It had stopped pulsing the moment they left the castle, but the memory of it reacting to Kael still made her uneasy.

Kael tilted his head slightly, studying her. "You really believe that?"

Ariana kept her gaze forward, refusing to meet his eyes. "I've seen what magic does to people. It's better left alone."

Kael's expression softened for just a moment, as if he understood far more than he let on. "You may not have a choice."

Ariana opened her mouth to retort, but before she could say anything, the tunnel began to widen, leading them into a small, circular chamber. The air here was colder, and the faint sound of water trickled somewhere in the distance.

Kael moved toward the far end of the chamber, where a narrow ladder led up to what looked like a trapdoor. He glanced back at her, his expression playful once again. "Ladies first?"

Ariana raised an eyebrow, her hand resting on her dagger. "You first. In case it's a trap."

Kael's grin widened, clearly enjoying the game. "You wound me, Reaper. Where's your sense of adventure?"

"Buried somewhere under my sense of self-preservation," she shot back, crossing her arms as she watched him ascend the ladder. He climbed easily, his movements smooth and practiced. Clearly, the prince was no stranger to sneaking around his own castle.