The disappearance of Claire left an uneasy silence hanging over the Wren estate. The once serene and protective aura of the place now felt cold and hollow. Without Claire, it felt as though the heart of their mission had been torn away.
Evelyn and Marcus stood in the center of the estate's courtyard, their minds racing. The stakes had never been higher. If they didn't find Claire soon, they feared the Arcane Order would reclaim her and use her for a darker purpose than before.
"We need to trace her steps," Evelyn said, trying to keep her voice steady as she pushed down the rising tide of panic. "There has to be a reason why she vanished like that. Maybe the severing of her connection to The Source triggered something. It might not even be the Order at all."
Marcus, always the realist, wasn't convinced. "Whether it's the Order or something else, it doesn't matter. She's in danger. We need answers, and we need them fast."
Evelyn nodded, knowing that Marcus was right. The truth could wait. Finding Claire had to be their priority.
But how?
"We don't have much time," Marcus muttered, pacing in front of the estate's gate. "The Order's agents are still out there. We need to get to someone who can help us figure this out—someone who understands this kind of magic."
Evelyn's mind immediately went to the only person who might have answers: Mrs. Thompson, the elderly librarian who had first shown them the Library of Secrets. Mrs. Thompson had always seemed to know more than she let on, and Evelyn suspected that the old woman had ties to the magical world that ran deeper than just books and artifacts.
"Mrs. Thompson," Evelyn said suddenly, looking up at Marcus. "We need to go to her. She knows more about the Order and the relics than she's told us. If anyone can help us figure out where Claire went, it's her."
Marcus nodded in agreement. "Let's go."
________________________________________
The journey back to the Library of Secrets was tense. The streets of Riverton felt too quiet, as if the town itself was holding its breath, waiting for the next move in a game that none of them fully understood. Every shadow felt like a threat, every flicker of movement in the distance a potential ambush. The Arcane Order was out there, and Evelyn knew they were being watched.
When they finally reached the library, the old stone building loomed before them, its gothic architecture casting long shadows in the dim evening light. Evelyn and Marcus hurried inside, their footsteps echoing on the marble floor as they made their way to the hidden section of the library where Mrs. Thompson spent most of her time.
The librarian was sitting at her usual desk, surrounded by stacks of old books and scrolls, her keen eyes scanning the pages of a thick, leather-bound tome. When she saw Evelyn and Marcus enter, she looked up, her expression unreadable.
"Ah," she said quietly, closing her book and folding her hands on the desk. "I was expecting you."
Evelyn's heart skipped a beat. "You know what happened?"
Mrs. Thompson nodded slowly, her eyes sharp behind her spectacles. "Claire has disappeared, hasn't she?"
"How did you know?" Marcus asked, his voice filled with suspicion.
Mrs. Thompson sighed, standing up from her desk and moving toward one of the shelves. "There are forces at work here that even I don't fully understand," she said. "But I've been following your journey closely. The moment you severed Claire's connection to The Source, I knew it would trigger something—something ancient and powerful."
Evelyn's stomach tightened with fear. "What do you mean? What's happening to her?"
Mrs. Thompson pulled a dusty old book from the shelf and placed it on the table in front of them. "When you broke the connection, you didn't just sever Claire from The Source. You severed her from the physical world as well."
Evelyn's eyes widened. "What?"
"The bond between Claire and The Source wasn't just magical—it was tied to her very existence," Mrs. Thompson explained. "When you severed that bond, it created a tear in the fabric of reality. Claire has been pulled into a liminal space—a place between worlds. A void, if you will."
Marcus swore under his breath. "How do we get her back?"
Mrs. Thompson opened the book to a page filled with strange symbols and diagrams. "It won't be easy. The space Claire has been pulled into is not a place you can simply enter. It's a realm of magic and shadows, a place where time and reality are fluid."
Evelyn's heart raced. "But there's a way, right? There has to be a way to bring her back."
Mrs. Thompson nodded, though her expression was grim. "There is a way, but it will require great risk. The only way to access the liminal space is through a powerful spell—one that requires a sacrifice."
Evelyn's breath caught in her throat. "What kind of sacrifice?"
"The spell requires something precious—something deeply personal to the one attempting the ritual. It could be an object, a memory, even a piece of one's soul. It's the only way to open the door to the liminal space and retrieve Claire."
Marcus stepped forward, his expression hard. "I'll do it. Whatever it takes, I'll make the sacrifice."
Evelyn's heart ached at his words, but she knew Marcus would do anything to save Claire. She felt the same way. They had come too far to lose her now.
"Let's do it," Evelyn said, her voice filled with determination. "We'll bring Claire back."
Mrs. Thompson nodded, her eyes filled with understanding. "I'll help you prepare the ritual," she said. "But be warned—once you enter the liminal space, there's no guarantee you'll be able to return."
Evelyn's mind was made up. She wouldn't leave Claire behind. No matter the cost.
As Mrs. Thompson gathered the materials for the ritual, Evelyn and Marcus exchanged a glance. They knew the risks, but they also knew they couldn't leave their friend in that void. Together, they would face whatever darkness lay ahead.
And together, they would bring Claire home.