ROSE

Rose walked with greater confidence through the halls that, just moments ago, had terrified her.

There was nothing stalking her here anymore; in this entire realm, she was the absolute ruler.

Confidence and security had returned to her for good.

“It’s easier and faster if I search alone. Wait for me here,” she told Aysling, who nodded happily, seeing Rose strong and fearless.

The human closed her eyes and began to wander through her domain.

Everything cast shadows in the real world, and she understood how terrifying this power could be if it fell into the wrong hands.

She found a hidden elevator behind a massive painting in a sealed office.

Descending, descending—floor after underground floor—there was a secret laboratory, just as they had suspected.

She moved under the protection of shadows, drifting from one table to another, one computer to another.

No one was there. Apparently, it was empty, but Rose knew that wasn’t the case.

She reached a door and felt the luminous presence