Chapter 53
Now Entering
Stage Five
‘The Forbidden Altar’
30-Minute Timer
Adam opened his eyes, immediately recognising the strange sensation of being stuck in a cutscene.
But it was different from last time.
He stood on the engraved stone disc in the middle of the Elphin Sanctuary’s ritual site. Under his feet, reflective mercury flowed through the grooves in the stone. Ahead of him, in the very centre of the disc, stood Belamouranthe. Behind her was the elphin queen. Both wore the green dresses that Weaver had spun.
The girl was facing Adam and, as he watched, her mother lifted a silvery dagger in the air, unseen by her child.
Adam could neither move nor speak. He was forced to watch as the blade plunged down towards Belamouranthe’s neck.