Chapter 56

　　The staircase seemed to stretch endlessly downward, disappearing into the darkness. 　　The light was scarcer as Celeste and Jeremy went deeper into the basement. But they were werewolves. With their convenient night vision, they were able to navigate the dimly lit surroundings. 　　Celeste's eyes adjusted to the change of environment very soon. Shadows danced around her, and the silence was deafening. 　　Yet, it wasn't the eerie atmosphere that made her skin crawl. As they descended further into the depths of the basement, the stench of decay grew stronger, assaulting her senses with an almost tangible force. The smell was so repugnant that it almost made her gag. She had to fight the urge to cover her nose and mouth. 　　But amidst the putrid odor, what set her even more unnerved was a faint yet unmistakable hint of the scar-faced rogue. It was a strange mixture of blood, sweat, and fear. It was a disturbing realization. Despite her best efforts, her heart rate quickened, and her palms gr