Even in Darkness She Chose to Rise (Tatiana and Jasper) novel Chapter 256

**TITLE: Even the Night Couldn’t Silence Her Light**
**Chapter 256: The Hunt Begins**

The atmosphere thickened, and the stares directed at her intensified, becoming brazenly transparent.

In that moment, Tatiana felt an unsettling shift within her—a sensation that she was no longer a mere attendee at this lavish banquet, but rather a hapless piece of prey, vulnerable and exposed.

Her heart raced, each beat echoing the growing unease that enveloped her like a suffocating shroud.

“Is she here?” a voice whispered, barely audible.

“She’s here. A multitude has taken notice of her presence. I fear this will create quite a commotion,” came the reply, laced with a hint of excitement.

From the shadows, a soft, mocking laugh resonated, sending a shiver down her spine.

“I’m eagerly anticipating King’s reaction,” the voice teased, as if the very mention of the name conjured an ominous weight in the air.

Tatiana, feeling the oppressive atmosphere close in around her, abruptly ceased her search for Yasper. With a resolute turn, she began to retrace her steps, her mind set on escaping this peculiar gathering.

Yet, just as she approached the exit, a figure blocked her path.

“I’m sorry, but the exit is sealed until the designated time. Please be patient,” the guard stated, his tone devoid of sympathy.

Her sharp gaze flicked to the weapon holstered at his hip, and she weighed her options. It was clear that forcing her way through would be futile. With a polite nod of gratitude, she turned away, her heart sinking further into despair.

She had been deceived.

Yasper was nowhere to be found, and the realization struck her hard: this place was not safe.

Desperation gnawed at her insides as she sought refuge in the restroom, only to find it completely locked down. There were no avenues for escape, no glimmers of hope.

This venue was a sprawling, sealed labyrinth, and she wandered through its vastness, the oppressive silence amplifying her sense of dread. After what felt like an eternity, a staff member approached her, urging her to return to the main area.

A chill crept up her spine. Who would design such an immense underground space, so utterly cut off from the outside world?

A chilling thought crossed her mind: if calamity were to strike here, would anyone above ever know?

“Beautiful lady, we meet again,” a voice called out, breaking through her swirling thoughts.

Tatiana turned, her heart racing as she recognized the man she had encountered merely hours before.

She averted her gaze, refusing to engage, but he pressed on, his tone laced with an unsettling familiarity. “You’re even more stunning than before. I never imagined I would find you here.”

Ignoring him was her only recourse.

But he continued, “It’s a pity you don’t comprehend the language. I can’t assist you.” His eyes glinted with a mix of admiration and something darker. “You’re far too beautiful. Many will have their eyes on you tonight. I fear you may not survive until dawn.”

“They love to torment delicate beauties,” he added, his voice dripping with a morbid fascination. “Such a shame. I pray the Holy Spirit grants you mercy.”

With a peculiar gesture, he expressed a mockery of sympathy before walking away, leaving Tatiana’s heart pounding with dread.

Her hand, which had hung limply at her side, clenched into a fist, the feeling of impending doom intensifying with each passing moment.

Suddenly, the lights flickered and then extinguished, plunging the venue into darkness, save for a single spotlight that illuminated the center of the room.

Tatiana squinted into the gloom, straining to see through the throng of bodies. Though obscured, she could hear a voice rising, strong and commanding.

But the language was foreign, harsh and guttural, like an incantation that sent shivers down her spine.

To her astonishment, many guests began to smile, their faces alight with a fervor that sent a chill through her. As the voice grew louder, they raised their right fists, pressing them to their chests in unison, silently mouthing the same words, as if in a trance.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify