TRIPWIRE
Elara let out a shaky breath, looking directly back at Lyra. "The Rector does know something," she whispered, rubbing her temples where a dull ache was beginning to form. "But so does this dark energy inside my head. He says he knows more than her."
Lyra’s eyes went wide, her gaze darting to the red gem still hovering faithfully by Elara’s shoulder. "He's talking to you right now? What’s he saying?"
I hold the ashes of your precious history, little gem, the heavy, molten voice purred in Elara's mind. If you want the truth, you only need to open the door and set me free.
"He’s speaking in riddles," Elara groaned, rubbing her face in exhaustion. "He wants me to set him free, but he’s being impossibly vague." She dropped her hands and glared directly at the floating crimson stone
