Chapter 99. Cynthia's Punishment

Cynthia had been called to the Grand Chamber at midnight, and she was standing in front of the grand doors at the moment. Her heart was dancing erratically in her chest, but it wasn’t a dance of pleasure. This was fear. Immeasurable fear.

Why was she called upon? And at this hour, in the middle of the night? What was this?

She took a deep breath and signaled for the guards to open the doors. They did, and she stepped inside.

As usual, the hall was darkened, with only a few torches burning. The Grand Master stood below the raised platform with his hands behind his back. Cynthia wondered why he stood below his stage, and also so close to the wall, as if he were a servant.

“Master,” she acknowledged and bowed her knee.

“No. Not tonight,” stated the Master, whose hand was outstretched to stop her from ac