Rose bolted upright the moment Elara's voice pierced the air.
"Oh my God, I totally forgot!" Elara exclaimed, nearly knocking over a chair in her rush.
Rose raised an eyebrow, barely masking her irritation. "What now?"
"Seraphina told me to help her with... something important!" Elara sputtered, already halfway to the door. She threw a quick wave over her shoulder. "I'll be back later!"
As the door slammed shut behind her, Rose let out a long exhale, relief washing over her. Finally, alone.
Her gaze fell to the book tucked under her sheets. The thick, ancient tome seemed to radiate its own weight, like it knew the trouble it carried.
"Now or never," Rose muttered, slipping it into her Whisper Weave. The hairpin shimmered faintly as it expanded into a small, inconspicuous bag.
Pinning it securely into her white hair, she hesitated only a moment before stepping into the hallway.