Closer and closer I came to the source of that sound, the passage winding along before opening out into a chamber that domed overhead. I stilled at the sight of a strange, dark liquid coiling across the ceiling, thrumming and writhing in time with the pulsing, humming noise. Beneath it in a wide circle were around twenty of this year’s acolytes, all tethered upright to stone pillars by gleaming silver chains. My gaze fell on Harlon like my body was magnetised to his, drawing me to him and pulling a desperate noise from my lips.
