Chapter 13: Shadows in the Hallways

The warm glow of the setting sun cast long shadows across the hallways as Mori made her way to the maid's quarters, Jax by her side. The air was filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers and the soft hum of conversation from the other maids. Mori felt a sense of belonging wash over her, and she began to relax in the presence of her new friend. As they entered the quarters, Elara greeted them with a bright smile. "Hey, girls! How was your day?" She was busy sorting through a pile of linens, her hands moving deftly as she folded and stacked them. Mori and Jax exchanged a look, and then Mori launched into a story about her and Jax's adventures in the east wing. Elara listened intently, her eyes sparkling with amusement. The three of them chatted easily, their conversation flowing from one topic to another. Just as Mori was starting to feel like she was part of the group, a soft knock at the door interrupted them. "Come in," Elara called out, looking up to see Aisha standing in the doorway. Aisha's eyes flicked to Mori, and then back to Elara. "I was wondering if anyone has seen Zephyr? I haven't seen her all day, and I'm getting a bit worried." Mori's brow furrowed in concern. "I haven't seen her either," she said, glancing at Jax. Jax shook her head. "I haven't seen her since lunch. But she was acting strange then, muttering to herself and storming off." Elara's expression turned serious. "Let's go look for her. We should make sure she's okay." The group of maids set off to search for Zephyr, their footsteps echoing through the empty hallways. As they walked, Mori couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. She glanced around, but saw nothing out of the ordinary. It wasn't until they reached the west wing that Mori caught a glimpse of a figure lurking in the shadows. Her heart skipped a beat as she recognized Kaelith's tall, imposing form. He was standing in front of a door, his eyes fixed intently on something inside. Mori's curiosity was piqued, and she found herself drawn to the door. As they approached, Kaelith turned to face them, his expression unreadable. "What are you doing here?" he asked, his voice low and even. Elara stepped forward, a look of concern on her face. "We're looking for Zephyr. Have you seen her?" Kaelith's eyes narrowed, and for a moment, Mori thought she saw a flicker of something else in his eyes. Something like guilt. "I haven't seen Zephyr," he said finally, his voice neutral. "But I think I know where she might be." He turned and pushed open the door, revealing a narrow stairway that led down into darkness. Mori's heart sank as she realized that Zephyr might be in trouble. And Kaelith seemed to know more than he was letting on.