Chapter 26: Entering the Lion's Den

Third-person Pov 

 Seraphina's heart was still pounding in her chest as she tried to compose herself, standing in the hallway with Electra. Her emotions were a mess, part relief from being freed from that suffocating room, part confusion at why Electra, of all people, had been the one to save her. 

Tears continued to roll down her cheeks despite her best efforts to stop them, and her body was still trembling from the anxiety that had gripped her.

 Electra stood in front of her, her usual confident aura surrounding her, but her expression was different now—there was something almost soft in her gaze, or at least softer than the cold look she usually wore. 

"Did they hurt you?" Electra asked as though she was prepared to deal with the consequences if Seraphina said yes.