The seer's radiant gaze stayed locked on me, her face inscrutable as the atmosphere in the room became more charged. Chloe sat silently in my lap, her tiny hands gripping my sleeve as if she felt the weight of the moment.
"You seek answers," the seer stated, her tone soft yet authoritative. "You wish to comprehend the strength your child possesses and the risks she confronts." "However, acquiring knowledge requires a cost."
I held onto Chloe more firmly, her warmth keeping me steady despite a chill running down my spine. "What type of cost?"
The seer pivoted, advancing toward a shelf filled with jars and vials. She retrieved a small glass jar filled with dried foliage, the contents dark and fragile. She placed it on the table in front of us with a gentle *clink.*
