Dumpheries sprang into action, his earlier shock giving way to determined focus. "We mustn't waste a moment," he declared, hurrying to a towering bookshelf that dominated one wall of the room. "Every second counts if we're to help Rose."
Blake, Reggie, and Randall exchanged glances, a mix of hope and apprehension on their faces. They watched as Dumpheries began pulling books from the shelves, his movements quick but careful.
"These tomes," Dumpheries explained, his voice tight with urgency, "contain centuries of vampire history. If there's any information about familiar possession and how to counter it, we'll find it here."
He turned, his arms laden with dusty volumes, and began distributing them among the group. "We'll need to work together," he said. "Search for any mention of familiars, possession, or mysterious marks. No detail is too small."
