Chapter 26: Cold Reality

Caroline felt the cold, damp dirt beneath her hands and feet. Nausea engulfed her, and she felt herself shaking as she tried to focus on her breathing. Brief images of Eloise in the archives flashed before her, but they were too quick for her to process—like someone trying to ignite a flame that kept going out. The concerned voices of Nadine, Aldrick, and Fleur sounded far away, muffled, as though they were talking to her through water. Feeling hands under her arms, Caroline let herself be pulled to her feet, and she raised her head and met Aldrick’s gaze. She was surprised to find concern in his expression, and as they looked at each other, her nausea fell away, and everything returned to normal.

“Are you okay?” Nadine asked, her hand still under Caroline’s arm. Turning to her friend, she gave a small smile. “Yeah. Sorry.” She turned to Fleur, who supported her from the other side.

“Can you see what’s happening in the archives?” Caroline asked her.