Elvira I barely slept that night. The relic sat heavy in my palm, it's cold metal biting against my skin. When dawn barely crept through my window, I found myself unable to hold the silence anymore. I had to tell Jaxon. I found him in the great hall, leaning against the stone archway like he was carved from it himself. His dark eyes caught mine, sharp with concern. “Jaxon,” I said, my voice trembling more than I wanted. “I need to show you something.” He straightened, knitting his brows. “Elvira? What’s going on?” I swallowed, heart pounding so loud I was sure he could hear it. “It’s about the relic. Last night, when I touched it… I saw something. I heard something.” He stepped closer, eyes narrowing, studying me like I’d suddenly become fragile glass. “Tell me,” he urged, voice low

