The next morning, the bedroom was filled with a tense, quiet energy as Demetrius and I geared up. As soon as we stepped into the hallway, I flagged down the guard posted outside our door, my voice low and decisive.
"Find Athena immediately," I instructed him. "Tell her it's go time. The hook is set."
He gave a sharp nod and practically sprinted down the stone corridor.
When Demetrius and I walked out into the main living room, Eloise was already there, pulling on a heavy traveling cloak and checking the rune pouches at her belt.
I stopped in my tracks, looking at her with a gentle but firm gaze. "Eloise... you need to stay back."
She whipped around, her jaw set in instant defiance. "No. Absolutely not, Rachel. I'm going with you."
"Eloise, listen to me," I said, stepping closer and t
