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Chapter Twenty-Four

Zorya

I walked along the dark corridor accompanied by Jui and Shae, who remained hidden. The darkness was only alleviated once we reached the area the guard must have used as a break area.

The torch flames flickered, casting our shadows on the brick walls. A chilly wind filled the halls with the stench of damp water, old blood, and iron. Looking at the table, I spotted the keys and grabbed them. "Let's see what atrocities are hidden in Bailes Theatre."

With a whistle, I walked along and saw the first cell. The figure was chained up to the wall, their bodies hanging slumped. The dark spots on the wall were still wet and glistened in the firelight, denoting them as fresh blood.

I assumed they were unconscious as they didn't move an inch when I approached the bars of their cell. Turning away, I continued after passing three empty cells I stopped at the sight of small figures huddled in the corner of the cell.

When they heard me, they all trembled and hurriedly huddled together. The tallest of the five figures turned to face me. A young boy with a large bruise on his cheek bared his teeth at me, his eyes filled with fear, defiance, and hatred. Once he could fully see me, confusion entered his eyes.

"Little one," I crooned. Lowering myself, I held out my hand. "Can you come to me?"

He shivered and stepped back, pushing those who hid behind him closer to the door. "Bad person. Hurt me and my friends."

I shook my head and took out my blade, which was still covered in blood. "I killed the bad people, and they won't hurt you or your friends."

The little boy flinched back at the sight of my knife, and with a quick glance from the blade to my face, he frowned. "Not here to hurt us?"

"I swear, I'm not here to hurt anyone. Instead, I'm here to help. Can you tell me, little one, if there is a wolf beast boy here?"

"Wolf?" He glanced behind me before quickly looking down, "I-I don't know. Not bad person but not good person," he glanced at my blade. "Wolf does not listen to bad man, so...punished." He whispered.

Seeing he wasn't willing to leave the children behind him, I stood and turned my head right. I spotted an iron door, and then, half-turning, I looked at what he'd looked at behind me and saw another iron door.

"Little one, do these punishments involve whatever is behind those doors?"

He didn't say anything, and I finally looked at him. Face pale, he gave a short nod before giving me his back and huddling down. "Dark rooms, bad."

"Okay, then I know where to find him."

Turning around, I walked across the hall and stopped.

"Jui, open the door for me."

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