Chapter 46: The stream of Ashbury

The murder's grim reality seemed to linger even as we withdrew from the scene of carnage. The echoes of death and destruction hung heavily in the air. Esteria, however, seemed intent on leading us to a destination that I had not anticipated. Despite the pervasive danger, she was resolute in her desire to see something before we departed.

My instincts screamed to refuse. The threat was ever-present, and our disguises, while effective, offered no guarantees of safety. The risk of being detected, particularly by the vampires that prowled these lands, was too great to ignore. Yet, as I looked at Esteria, her eyes alight with determination, I found myself unable to deny her. The conflict within me was intense—duty battling against an inexplicable need to honor her wishes.