Round 68

The bathroom is filling with water from the broken shower stall, and Abby presses herself against the wall as Hera backs up against the tile opposite her. The building groans overhead like an angry beast, and every pulse of energy from the wardstone outside sends a fresh wave of terror through the small room. Abby's shoes are soaked through already, and she can feel the cold water seeping higher around her ankles.

Jeane grabs Hera by the shoulders, forcing the frightened woman to meet her crimson eyes. "Listen," she snaps, voice sharp enough to cut through panic. The building groans overhead like a dying thing, but Jeane doesn't flinch—she's heard worse sounds in deeper hells than this luxury prison. "You're not going to die here because of me." The wardstone pulses again, its energy bleeding through the walls and floorboards, and she feels it like teeth against her skin.