LILYA’S POV
The dining table was a quiet witness to the tension between us. I took a deep breath, trying to keep my voice steady.
"So, how did things go with Ava?" I asked, my gaze fixed on Adrian.
He sighed, his shoulders slumping as he leaned back in his chair. "Ava was surprisingly cooperative. It took some convincing, but eventually, she listened."
I couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. "Cooperative? That doesn't sound like the Ava I know."
Adrian chuckled, a hint of weariness in his eyes. "Trust me, I was just as surprised."
I leaned forward, curiosity piqued. "And the scroll? Did you find it?"
His expression darkened, and for a moment, I saw the shadow of doubt in his eyes. "No, Lilya. We searched everywhere, but it's like it vanished."
My heart sank, the weight of our mission
