Chapter 14: Uncovering More Secrets

"Avery, you've been here for hours," Calla said, concern lacing her voice as she watched Avery flip through the pages of the old text. "You need to rest."

The dim candlelight flickered, casting shadows across the room, making Calla's worry deepen. She hadn't seen Avery this consumed in days. The circles under Avery's eyes were dark and heavy, a sign that sleep hadn't been part of her routine for far too long.

"I can't," Avery replied, barely looking up. "There's something here, I just know it. Something we missed."

Calla hesitated, her hand twitching as if she wanted to reach out and take the book from Avery's grasp. The tension between them was palpable, both of them knowing this search had become an obsession for Avery, but Calla couldn't find the right words to make her stop.

Calla sighed, sitting down across from her. "You've already found so much. What more could there be?"