Past-Death opened the door wider to illuminate the cell as much as possible. A small, blue gem winked as the faint light from the hallway caught it. Sensing no one in the cell, she crossed to the flicker of light and was able to make out something else.
Bones. Whoever had been in the cell was long dead.
She picked up the blue gem. The emerald-shaped gem rested in a band of metal that appeared to be a cross between brass and gold in color. By its size, it belonged to a man. It seemed rather plain and like it could use a good cleaning. If it held any sort of magic, if it was more than a trinket, she wasn't able to tell.
"I guess you're no longer a threat," she said, uncertain if she should be relieved or disturbed to know she had unwittingly left him to die. "Rest in peace, whoever you are."
It didn't seem right to take away the only possession belonging to the dead man. Past-Death set the ring down and left, locking the cell once more.
Sensing someone behind her, she whirled.
No one was present. She stood perfectly still, waiting for some sign that someone else was there, perhaps someone as invisible as her.
She thought she saw the flames of the nearest torch flicker, as if someone had passed by it, and the flicker of blue. A full minute passed with no other sign.
"I really hope I didn't just let something out," she murmured. Her gaze fell to the door across the hall. With a jolt, she realized she needed the other key in order to rescue Deidre.
Past-Death hurried down the hallway towards the stairs, intent on grabbing the key and helping Deidre before something worse happened.