The Weight of Kindness

MAEVIA

The presence behind me froze my steps before I reached the upper landing. My hand tightened around the stair rail while my senses sharpened in the quiet corridor.

I turned immediately and found only shadows stretching across the hallway. The unease faded slowly, and I continued toward Clara's chambers with measured steps.

The day had been long, but the warmth I had left behind in Moonshield