“This isn’t what it looks like,” she muttered, an edge of desperation in her voice. “You have to believe me.”
Andrei set the box down gently on a nearby table and slowly opened the lid. The glow brightened momentarily, revealing a collection of aged scrolls and a peculiar stone, smooth and translucent, at the center. The light pulsed from the stone, casting shifting shadows on the walls.
A chorus of whispers rippled through the gathered crowd, a mix of curiosity and disbelief. Luna, sensing the tension, sat by the officer’s side, her eyes darting between the box and the woman, who now looked defeated.
“What is this?” Andrei asked, unable to tear his gaze from the mesmerizing glow.
