The air in the sanctuary felt heavier than usual as Anneliese and Acacia emerged from the hidden passage. The faint hum of magic from the artifacts still clung to their senses, but it was the whispers that lingered most in their minds.
“They’re growing louder,” Acacia murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.
Anneliese nodded, her brow furrowed. “It’s not just sound. It’s meaning. The whispers—they’re trying to tell us something.”
Acacia shivered, rubbing her arms as if warding off a chill. “They mentioned Gertrude. And something about... seeing us?”
“She knows,” Anneliese said, her voice tight. “Whatever connection she has to this place, she’s aware we’ve been there.”
The unease between them was palpable, but beneath it lay a spark of determination. They had uncovered something vit
