Back inside the maze of stones, Lara pressed forward. The path twisted and branched like a labyrinth carved by the gods themselves. She crawled through narrow gaps, squeezed past jagged walls, and stumbled into cavern after cavern, her breath echoing off the stone.
Finally, she emerged into a wider chamber. A thin crack split one wall, and through it, a pale blade of sunlight pierced the gloom. It shimmered faintly on the rocky floor like a promise of hope.
Lara pressed both hands to her chest, feeling her heart thunder against her ribs. She exhaled shakily, letting relief wash over her.
Then a sound froze her in place.
From the shadows beyond the beam of light, four pairs of eyes ignited in the darkness — glowing amber, unblinking, predatory.
A deep, guttural growl rumbled through the cavern, vibrating in her bones.
