52. Keelan

Chapter fifty-two

Keelan

I crept slowly down a long empty hallway.

Aside from the incessant humming, there were no sounds. The only light bled from the gap beneath two doors, one immediately to my right and the other at the passage's midpoint. I remembered seeing a door near the corner of the chamber when Sil and I watched from the balcony. I assumed the middle door to be my target, the entrance to the stage.

I reached for the knob and was surprised when it turned without protest.

Gently, slowly , I pulled, dreading a cry from the ancient hinges.

None came.

I cracked the door and peered in.

The sound of the humming swelled, drenched in the excitement and anticipation. I stepped into a small, open space behind the massive statue that reigned over the chamber. The statue's base towered above my head, preventing me from peeking over; but it also concealed my entrance from those beyond.

Motion flashed in the corner of my eye. I glanced up to find the Prince and his guards entering the balcony, beacons of light in a sea of darkness. The guards were pulling at the Prince, trying to get him to duck down, but he was frozen in place, his eyes locked onto something below.

Time slowed.

My breath stilled.

My heart froze.

Then it happened.