Chapter 311

Chapter 311
【Elsa POV】

Leif turns away from her, gesturing for us to huddle near the door. "If he's really gone, this might be our only chance," he whispers. "We could explore the castle interior, find out what we're dealing with before he returns."

"That's risky as hell," Karl mutters, running a hand through his hair. "What if he comes back while we're inside?"

"Then at least we'll have the element of surprise," Leif replies, his amber eyes hard with determination. "Better than trying to break in when we know he's here."

I bite my lip, my heart racing. "What about her?" I nod toward the woman. "We can't just leave her unattended."

Leif nods decisively. "Edda, you and Freyja stay here with her. The rest of us will use the key we already have and explore the castle."

Edda straightens, squaring her shoulders. "I can handle her if she tries anything."

"What if you run into trouble up there?" Edda asks, worry creasing her brow.

"Then we'll contact you through the mind link," Karl says, checking his weapon. "But we need to move fast."

Leif turns to face the woman, his voice dropping to that Alpha tone that commands obedience. "You're going to stay quiet and cooperate. One sound from you, and things will get unpleasant."

The woman's eyes dart frantically between us. "Please, you don't understand—he'll be so angry if he finds out you were here. He's not like other people. He's—"

"Powerful. We get it," Karl says dryly, adjusting his grip on his weapon.

The woman presses herself further into the corner, trembling. "He'll kill us all when he returns."

"He'll try," Leif says grimly, checking that I still have the iron key safely in my hand.

I reach out to squeeze Edda's hand briefly. "Be careful. If anything happens—"

"I'll contact you immediately," she promises, her grip firm and reassuring.

Stay alert, I tell Freyja silently. And don't let her do anything stupid.

I won't. You focus on not getting yourself killed in there.

Leif pushes open the heavy wooden door, wincing as the hinges creak loudly in the silence. The sound echoes through the stone corridor beyond, and we all freeze, listening for any response.

Nothing.

"Let's go," Leif whispers, slipping through the doorway.

Karl and I follow him into the dungeon hallway. I force myself not to look at the cell windows as we pass, focusing instead on Leif's broad shoulders ahead of me. We move quickly but carefully toward the far end, where another door waits.

Leif reaches it first and tests the iron handle. "Unlocked," he murmurs, easing it open.

A narrow stone staircase spirals upward into darkness. Cold air drifts down, carrying scents of old stone and something metallic that makes my stomach turn.

"I'll go first," Leif says, drawing his weapon. "Karl, watch our backs. Elsa, stay between us."

"Got it," I whisper, my voice barely audible.

We begin climbing. Each step echoes softly despite our efforts to stay quiet. The spiral staircase seems to go on forever, and by the time we reach the top, my legs are burning and I'm breathing hard.

Another door blocks our path, this one with a sliver of light beneath it.

Leif presses his ear against the wood, listening intently. After a long moment, he shakes his head. "Nothing."

He opens the door carefully, revealing a long corridor that stretches in three directions. The passages to our left and right disappear into complete darkness, but straight ahead, a single flickering torch illuminates what appears to be a heavy oak door.

"That has to be his main chamber," Karl whispers, pointing at the distant door.

"Probably," Leif agrees, his grip tightening on his weapon. "Question is, are we ready for this?"

I stare down the central corridor, every nerve screaming at me to turn around. But we've come too far to back down now. "We don't have much choice," I say quietly. "If we're going to end this, we need to know what we're walking into."

"Agreed," Karl says, checking his gear one more time. "Let's move."

We advance in formation—Leif leading with his weapon drawn, me in the middle, Karl watching our backs. Our footsteps echo despite our attempts at stealth.

The corridor shows signs of long decay. Tattered tapestries hang from the walls, and moss grows in the cracks between stones. But the torch ahead burns steadily, recently lit.

"Someone maintains this place," I observe quietly.

"Yeah," Leif mutters. "That's what worries me."

We reach the massive oak door. It's easily eight feet tall, reinforced with iron bands. The handle gleams dully in the torchlight.

Leif reaches for it, then pauses, looking back at us. "Last chance to change our minds."

Karl shifts his weight, readying himself. "We're with you."

I nod, my mouth dry. "Let's do this."

Leif grips the handle and turns it slowly. The mechanism moves smoothly—too smoothly for something this old. The door isn't locked.

"That's not good," Karl mutters.

Leif pushes the door open. Darkness yawns beyond, and cold air flows out carrying a sweet, cloying scent that makes me gag.

We step into the chamber, weapons ready.

For a moment, everything is shadow and silence.

Then suddenly, a creaking sound echoes through the darkness.

"Shit," Karl whispers, raising his weapon.

Torches begin flaring to life around the room, one by one, revealing a vast throne room. High ceilings supported by carved pillars. Rich tapestries in deep reds and blacks. An ornate carpet leading to—

To a figure seated in a high-backed chair at the far end.

Two red points of light gleam where his eyes should be. They've been watching us since we entered.

The figure leans forward, and in the growing torchlight, I can see pale, marble-white skin and features that carry an aura of death.

His lips curve into a cold smile, revealing gleaming fangs.

"Welcome," he says, his voice carrying an ancient accent, cultured and precise. "Far-traveling guests. I believe we have much to discuss."