The Barter Novel Sierra and Xavier

---- On instinct her fingers clench around his shirt and she sticks to him like glue.

Damien feels a tug and he looks back to find his shirt clenched in her fingers, their eyes connect but he doesn't says anything.

He continues to step forward in the shadows and she follows.

Inside, the castle was far from empty.

There were moving shadows on the walls.

The creatures roamed freely, their hulking figures with glowing eyes and jagged limbs inhabited this place which was once bathed in beautiful interiors They prowled the corridors, some fighting over scraps of meat, others slumped in corners, their monstrous forms illuminated by the dim light filtering through broken windows.

Why are we here? Alex asked in a hushed tone.

You will soon know, Damien replied curtly.

---- Chapter 458 Damien led through the grand halls, navigating the broken tiles and scattered debris with practiced ease.

It looked like he knew the route like the back of his hand But then why wouldn't he? He had lived here.

He had spent time here with Princess Zariyan.

They were meant to be married Alex pushed aside the heaviness in her chest and struggled to keep her breathing quiet, her eyes darting nervously to the creatures nearby.

They moved silently, hugging the walls and ducking behind broken furniture whenever one of the creatures drew too close.

At one point, Damien pressed a hand to her shoulder, stopping her mid-step.

She followed his gaze to see a particularly large creature lumbering through the corridor ahead.

Its claws scraped against the stone floor, the sound grating against her nerves.

Wait, Damien whispered, his lips barely moving.

Follow me when I say go.

---- She nodded, her body trembling as the seconds stretched into an eternity.

Finally, Damien motioned, and they slipped past the creature, her heart pounding so loudly she was certain it would hear her.

They finally reached the royal study without incident.

The room was eerily intact, as if the chaos outside had not dared to touch it.

Books lined the shelves, and the desk bore a thin layer of dust, undisturbed for months.

Damien moved quickly, heading straight for a large bookshelf.

He began inspecting the spines of the books, his movements deliberate.

Damien...

what are you- Shh keep an eye on the door.

Alex nodded to stand near the door, keeping watch, though her hands trembled at the thought of being caught.

What are you looking for? she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

A way to fix this world, he replied cryptically.

---- Finally, he pulled a book from the shelf.

A soft click echoed in the room, and Alex gasped as the entire bookshelf slid aside, revealing a narrow staircase leading down into darkness.

What is this place? she asked, her curiosity momentarily overriding her fear.

Secrets that no one should know.

Alexs steps halt.

Let's move.noveldrama

Ie announces, looking back over his shoulder to the door.

They descended into the passage, the air growing colder with each step.

At the bottom, they entered a chamber that glowed with an eerie green light.

In the center stood a pedestal, and on it rested a glass tube containing a luminescent liquid.

Damien approached it cautiously.

It's incomplete, he said, his voice tinged with frustration.

But it's the antidoteor at least the start of one.