Chapter 2 - The Crystal Resonance
Outside the suffocating wood, the world was built of golden light and polished stone.
The hallway stretched endlessly, paved in seamless, gleaming white marble that reflected the brilliance of a massive crystal chandelier.
The air smelled of expensive tuberose perfume and chilled citrus.
A waitress walked down the center of the corridor.
Her black uniform vest was buttoned tightly to her collarbone, her dark hair pulled back into a severe, immaculate low bun.
She held a heavy silver tray perfectly balanced on the flat of her palm.
Four crystal flutes sat on the polished metal, filled to the brim with pale gold champagne.
The tiny bubbles rose in perfect, uniform columns.
She placed her black leather shoe onto the marble.
Before she could take the next step, a muffled vibration traveled through the sole of her shoe.
Thump. Thump.
She froze.
The crystal flutes clinked softly against each other, emitting a high, sharp chime.
She turned her head toward the right wall.
It was a blank expanse of expensive wallpaper, interrupted only by a massive, classical portrait housed in a heavy, gilded gold frame.
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The sound was coming from behind the canvas.
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