The silence in the library was almost as unnerving as the ghoul’s terrifying growls had been. The trio stood there, gasping for air, their bodies and minds heavy with exhaustion.
The faint inky residue on the floor was the only evidence of the creature’s presence—a smear of darkness against the polished wood. As they caught their breath, the quiet hum of the magical wards surrounding them grew, a steady, rhythmic pulse that filled the room, subtly marking the space as their own again. The wards glowed softly, their light stabilizing, lending a warm glow that replaced the shadows with a sense of safety. Gradually, the oppressive tension that had clung to the air dissolved, replaced by a stillness that felt hard-won.
Eldridge finally broke the silence. “We’ve weakened it. For now.” He forced a calm tone, though the gravity of what they’d just faced weighed on him like an anchor.
Mia exhaled slowly, sinking down onto one of the library chairs. Her hands were still trembling, but she managed a small smile. “I didn’t think… I didn’t think we’d actually survive that.” She glanced at Bellaire and Eldridge, her eyes glimmering with relief and gratitude. “But you both kept going. We kept going.”
Bellaire looked down at the floor, the remnants of the ghoul making her stomach churn. She shivered, remembering the creature’s eerie gaze, how it seemed to lock onto her, sensing her insecurities and weaknesses. She forced herself to look up, meeting Eldridge’s gaze. “I don’t know if I’m strong enough for this, Father . What if I’m the reason it gets stronger?”
Eldridge placed a steady hand on her shoulder, his eyes serious yet warm. “Bellaire my daughter, strength isn’t about never feeling afraid. It’s about standing your ground even when every instinct screams to run. We’re all scared. But fear doesn’t make you weak—it makes you human.”
Mia smiled softly. “Besides, you were braver than any of us. I’d have been helpless without you both—and I know my ancestry might be tied to all this.”
Eldridge looked at Mia. "We don’t know if this attack was because of you or something else, but we’ll investigate. For now, let’s secure the library.” He nodded to the wards flickering around the room. “If the ghoul was able to penetrate this much, it means our protective magic needs a serious upgrade.”
They moved in silence, strengthening the wards and wiping away the last traces of the creature. The room felt subtly warmer with each precautionary spell they layered, and as they worked, the sense of victory settled deeper within them. Their hands moved with tired precision, but each action was steady, and by the time they’d finished, the library was restored to its quiet grandeur, with magical defenses now humming a steady, protective rhythm.
Eldridge finally straightened, and a look of relief passed between them, though each bore the marks of battle in their exhausted eyes. He broke the silence gently. “Let’s head back to my study. Everyone else is there.”
They moved down the corridor to Eldridge’s study, and the change was almost immediate. Where the library’s atmosphere had felt charged, the study was like stepping into a sanctuary. Lined with shelves of ancient books and lit by the warm flicker of a lantern, it held a familiar scent of parchment and ink, along with a faint, earthy fragrance from dried herbs and protective charms tucked into nooks and crannies. A collection of relics—a silver dagger, a preserved phoenix feather, and an old charm crafted of twisted roots—lined the shelves, hints of Eldridge’s long-standing battle with dark forces, silent reminders of a life spent in defense of his family and realm.
Mrs. Elaine, seated with Bellaire’s aunt and Elias, looked up as they entered. She rose, crossing the room to Eldridge, and wrapped her arms around him. Eldridge’s tense shoulders relaxed as he felt her warmth. He carefully turned and hugged her tightly, finding comfort and strength in her embrace.
Bellaire, watching the tender exchange, gestured gently for the others to leave with her, leading them out of the study and quietly closing the door behind them, leaving her parents a moment of privacy.She knew that her father needs it.
YOU ARE READING
THE LOST BOOK
Fantasy"The Lost Book" follows the thrilling adventure of Mia and Tink, as they embark on a quest to complete the prophecy. They stumble upon an old legend about a powerful book that vanished centuries ago Upon placing a long lost prophecy on them which...
