Siren of the Nightmare System

amily Ties a

solved, leaving Astrida standing in a sterile, dimly lit corridor of a lower-tier dungeon floor. Her shoul

blurring into the surrounding darkness. He lo

e a low vibration that made her skin prickle. "Still

torted, her eyes cold as she accessed the system map hovering before her. "S

air just inches from her cheek. "You felt that heat, Astrida. You felt th

the holographic map, tracing a red blinking pulse deep within the labyrinthine tunnels. "My

said, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Or perhaps he's

ida said, though she felt the familiar, grou

ched the clearing, the sight was chaotic. Timothy Frost, the golden boy of the Mercer periphery, was backed against a wall of

e!" Timothy shrieked, his face

ossed. She watched the swarm lunge, watching as Timothy

trida noted, her vo

reath a chilling contrast to the humid dungeon air. "If you let him die, you

. She raised her hand, summoning the interface. "Sys

st: 500 Essence Fragments.

anded, steppin

h a force that shattered their exoskeletons. She didn't look at Timothy; she looked only at the creatures that dared to impede h

or, she allowed the shield to dissipate. Timothy scr

nnouncement said you were claimed by the rift!" Timothy

rsonal space until he was forced to look up at her. She grabbed his collar, pulling him tight. "You're going to

g for relics to sell!" Timothy gas

ve vein of his neck. "The Mercers don't explore. They scavenge. Where is

ho stood, observing with detached, feline grace. "If I tell you, you'll

ida countered, her eyes flashing with that unnatural violet light. "I'm

ble. "The master study. Beneath the hearthstone. There's a micro-emitter

at lacked any warmth. "You've been very helpful,

d at Timothy with such blatant, cold hunger that the young man wh

ingers, a practiced look of fear that didn't quite reach his eyes. She leaned in, her voice low and intimate, mimicking the way Jericho s

widened, his

out, ripping the thin, translucent device from behind hi

hear you, Astrida. It's a shame you didn't stay bu

ace tightening with cold fury. She turned bac

ida murmured, her voice dripping with

around her waist, his touch a possessive anchor. "The game ha