Chapter 51 The Death Plaque

• The night air was cool and thick with the scent of damp earth as Evangelina moved stealthily through the corridors of the estate. Her heart pounded in her chest as she neared the dungeon, the heavy stone walls seeming to close in on her with each step. She had snuck out of her quarters after everyone had gone to bed, unable to shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong. The maid, the one who had been arrested after the failed attempt to kidnap her, had been on her mind constantly.
• She needed answers.
• The narrow, winding stairwell leading to the dungeon was dimly lit by flickering torches. Shadows danced along the walls, making the place feel even more ominous. Evangelina's steps were quiet, careful, her breath shallow as she moved closer to the cold, iron-barred door at the bottom of the stairs. The dungeon guard, having been bribed earlier that day, simply nodded at her, pushing the door open without a word.