Shadow of decite

Bella's decision was made. She would form an alliance with her brother, no matter how fragile, and work together to bring down the Meridans.

As they set out to gather evidence, Bella couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. Every step they took, every move they made, seemed to be monitored by unseen eyes.

Kieran sensed her unease and stayed close, his hand on the hilt of his sword. Edward, too, seemed on edge, his eyes darting nervously around every corner.

Their first stop was the castle's library, where they hoped to find documents detailing the Meridans' treachery. But as they searched through dusty tomes and scrolls, Bella began to realize that something was off.

The records they found were incomplete, or tampered with. It was as if someone had deliberately tried to erase any evidence of the Meridans' wrongdoing.

"This isn't right," Bella said, frustration etched on her face. "Someone's been here before us, covering their tracks."

Kieran's eyes narrowed. "We need to be careful. If we're being watched, it means our enemies are getting desperate."

Edward nodded, his face pale. "We can't give up now. We have to keep searching."

Their search took them from the castle's depths to the town's seedy underbelly. They spoke to informants, bribed guards, and scoured the streets for any hint of the Meridans' plans.

But with every step, the shadows seemed to grow longer, the silence thicker. Bella couldn't shake the feeling that they were walking into a trap, that their enemies were waiting for them just out of sight.

And then, just as they thought they'd found a breakthrough, everything went black.

Bella's world was plunged into darkness, the sound of footsteps echoing through her mind. When she came to, she was lying in a cold, damp cellar, Kieran's face etched with worry above her.

"Where's Edward?" Bella asked, her voice shaking.

Kieran's expression turned grim. "He's gone. Taken by the Meridans."

Bella's heart sank, her world crumbling around her. She had trusted Edward, and now he was gone.

The Meridans had just raised the stakes. And Bella was ready to play.