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Days blurred together as we established a routine. Mornings were spent in regular archive sessions, carefully maintaining appearances of normal research. Nights were dedicated to more thorough investigations, particularly of the restricted sections. Vexa and Effie had immediately volunteered to help when I'd explained what we'd found, eager for something more engaging than their usual duties. Rethlyn was too busy training the new recruits, though he gave me an apologetic smile on his way out of the dining hall.

"There has to be something," I muttered on the third evening, surrounded by stacks of books. My eyes burned from reading endless pages of faded text. "An item that powerful doesn't just disappear from history without leaving any trace."

"Unless someone wanted it to disappear," Aether said quietly from where he sat across the table, his glasses reflecting lamplight as he studied yet another tome.

"What do you mean?"

"If such an item existed, it would be incredibly dangerous in the wrong hands. Perhaps someone deliberately removed all record of it."

The thought settled uncomfortably in my stomach as I watched the twilight glimmer from outside. Time was running out. I had less than two days left before I had to present something to Urkin, and so far, all I had was a single page from a questionably reliable memoir and a growing pile of books that told me nothing.

"Maybe we're looking in the wrong place," Raven suggested, closing another useless volume with a sigh. "If someone did try to erase its existence, they wouldn't have left information in obvious locations."

"Then where?" I asked, frustration creeping into my voice.

But no one had an answer for that.

"I need air," I said, shoving away from the table. My headthrobbed from endless hours of squinting. "And time to think that doesn't involve being surrounded by useless books."

Aether simply nodded, already standing. He stayed quiet, pulling the door open for me as we filtered into the gray light. Days of searching, of hope building and crashing with each dead end, and all we had to show for it was exhaustion.

The walk to the stables was silent, both of us lost in our own thoughts. Maybe I'd been foolish, letting myself believe we'd found something significant. The siphon could have been nothing more than the drunken imaginings of a traveling bard, and I'd wasted precious time chasing it.

Laughter drifted across the lawn as we approached—a sound so unexpected it made me pause. Lael stood in front of the stables, practically bouncing with excitement as he ran his hands over a Vördr's coat. The beast had charcoal-colored fur marked with patches of pure black that spread across its wings like ink spills.

"Aether!" Lael called out, sprinting toward us with a grin that seemed too big for his face. Rethlyn followed at a more measured pace, though his easy smile seemed proud. "Look! She claimed me! Just now—she landed right in front of me during training and wouldn't leave!"

Despite my exhaustion, I couldn't help but smile at his enthusiasm. The Vördr watched us with intelligent eyes, its head tilted as if assessing newcomers.

"Her name is Nyx," Lael continued, practically vibrating with joy. "She's perfect, isn't she?"

"She suits you," Aether said, and though his voice remained steady, I caught the hint of warmth beneath it.

"Well the two of you have been spending an awful lot of time together in the archives," Rethlyn said, his tone casual but his eyes knowing. "After everyone else has called it quits for the day.”

Aether ran a hand through his hair, letting out an irritated sigh. “Your perception skills are unparalleled.”

“Urkin will wonder what you're up to," Rethlyn added, a slight grin pulling at his lips.

"Urkin is welcome to inquire about whatever he likes.” Aether's eyes narrowed. “He knows he can request me any time he requires my presence."

"He just might." Rethlyn shrugged, his eyes playful. "Especially since you've missed the last two briefings."

"I’ve had more pressing matters to attend to."

"That may be." Rethlyn's gaze flickered between us. "Though I can't recall the last time you showed such... dedication to research."

"Rethlyn." There was a warning in Aether's voice.

"Whathaveall of you been doing?" Lael asked, quirking an eyebrow.

"Nothing to concern yourself with," Aether replied, his expression closing off slightly. "Focus on your training."

Rethlyn ruffled the boy's hair. "He’s so mysterious?—”

"Don't you have somewhere to be?" Aether cut in.

"As a matter of fact, I do," Rethlyn sighed, shooting me a smile. "I have to go check in with Mira and Theron. I'll catch you two later."