The chill in the air seemed sharper as Kael and his companions neared the outskirts of Draycott. The sun was setting, casting long shadows across the frozen landscape. Even from a distance, Calder Venric's estate was an imposing sight—its dark stone walls rising like a fortress against the fading light, with glowing green wards flickering faintly along its edges.
Kael tightened his grip on the satchel slung over his shoulder, the weight of the golden and silver crystals pressing heavily against his side. The golden thread in his chest pulsed steadily, its rhythm slower but stronger than before.
"This is insane," Lira muttered, her sharp eyes scanning the path ahead. "We barely escaped this place last time, and now we're walking right back into it?"
"We don't have a choice," Kael said quietly. "If Venric has the third artifact, we need to get it—no matter the risk."
"And if he catches us?" Lira pressed.
Kael didn't answer. The truth was, he didn't know what they would do if Venric discovered them. The collector had already proven how dangerous he was, and Kael doubted they'd be able to bluff their way out a second time.
"We'll be careful," Ember said firmly, her fiery eyes fixed on the distant estate. "This time, we're prepared."
Umbra padded close to Kael's side, his small body tense. "The third artifact… I can feel it. It's here."
Kael glanced down at the cub, his chest tightening. The golden thread pulsed faintly, its energy resonating with Umbra's words. "Then we need to move quickly," he said.
The group crouched behind a cluster of trees at the edge of the estate, their breaths visible in the cold night air. Venric's estate was heavily guarded, just as it had been before. Armored figures patrolled the perimeter, their movements precise and methodical.
"We can't go in the same way we did last time," Lira whispered, her voice barely audible. "They'll be watching for that."
"Then we find another way," Kael said, scanning the estate for any openings.
Ember growled softly, her fiery eyes narrowing. "There's a side entrance near the east wall. It's smaller and less guarded, but it's warded. We'll need to disable the sigils."
Lira smirked. "Good thing I'm here. Those wards won't know what hit them."
Kael nodded, though his chest felt tight. The golden thread pulsed steadily, its energy both reassuring and unnerving. "We'll stick to the plan. Get in, find the artifact, and get out before anyone notices."
Lira raised an eyebrow. "You make it sound so easy."
"It's not," Kael admitted. "But we don't have another choice."
The group moved swiftly and silently, sticking to the shadows as they made their way toward the east wall. The night was cold and still, the only sounds the faint rustling of leaves and the distant murmurs of the guards.
Lira led the way, her movements as fluid as water. She stopped near the side entrance, crouching low as she examined the glowing sigils etched into the stone.
"Simple warding glyphs," she muttered, pulling a small pouch from her belt. "I can disable them, but it'll take a minute. Keep watch."
Kael nodded, his eyes scanning the darkness for any sign of movement. Ember stood nearby, her flames dimmed to faint embers, while Umbra melted into the shadows, his glowing blue eyes barely visible.
Lira worked quickly, her fingers deftly tracing the edges of the sigils as she sprinkled a fine powder over them. The glyphs flickered faintly, their glow dimming as the powder took effect.
"Almost there," Lira whispered.
Kael's heart pounded as he glanced over his shoulder. The guards were still patrolling the perimeter, their torches casting faint pools of light over the snow.
"Hurry," Ember growled softly.
"Done," Lira said, stepping back as the last of the glyphs faded. She turned to Kael with a smirk. "After you."
Kael nodded, his chest tight as he pushed the door open. The group slipped inside, their footsteps silent on the stone floor.
The interior of the estate was as imposing as Kael remembered—dimly lit corridors lined with tapestries and display cases filled with Venric's collection. The air was heavy with the scent of incense, and the faint hum of arcane wards seemed to vibrate through the walls.
"The artifact's energy is coming from deeper inside," Umbra whispered, his glowing eyes flicking toward a corridor to their left.
Kael nodded, the golden thread in his chest pulsing in response. "Let's move."
They crept through the halls, their movements careful and deliberate. The estate was quieter than Kael had expected, though he knew better than to let his guard down. Venric was nothing if not prepared.
As they approached the main chamber, the energy from the third artifact grew stronger, its presence pressing against Kael's senses like a heavy weight.
"It's close," Ember murmured, her fiery eyes narrowing.
Kael's stomach churned as they stepped into the chamber. The room was massive, its walls lined with towering shelves filled with books and relics. At its center stood a raised pedestal, and atop it rested the third artifact—a dark crystal that shimmered with faint red light.
"That's it," Umbra said softly, his voice tinged with awe.
Kael stepped forward, his chest tightening as the golden thread pulsed wildly in his chest. The energy from the dark crystal seemed to resonate with the golden and silver ones in his satchel, their combined presence almost overwhelming.
"Grab it, and let's get out of here," Lira said, her eyes darting nervously toward the shadows.
Kael reached for the dark crystal, his fingers brushing against its smooth surface. The moment he touched it, a surge of energy shot through him, and the room seemed to shift around him.
Images flickered in his mind—a tower wreathed in storms, a figure cloaked in shadow, and the sound of a voice he couldn't understand, whispering words that sent chills down his spine.
"Kael!" Ember's voice snapped him back to reality.
Kael blinked, his breath coming in shallow gasps. He clutched the dark crystal tightly, its energy still thrumming in his hands.
"We need to go," Ember said, her voice sharp. "Now."
Kael nodded, slipping the crystal into his satchel. The group turned to leave, but before they could take a step, a voice echoed through the chamber.
"Leaving so soon?"
Kael's blood ran cold as Calder Venric stepped out of the shadows, his silver eyes gleaming with amusement.
"You didn't think I'd let you take what's mine, did you?" Venric said, his voice smooth but laced with menace.
The golden thread pulsed wildly in Kael's chest as Venric raised a hand, the air around him crackling with arcane energy.
"Get ready!" Kael shouted, his heart pounding as the chamber erupted into chaos.