"James, I don't trust Draven. Why did you give him the immortal stone? You should have shown it to me first," Alison stated, her voice filled with concern.
James, clearly exasperated, retorted, "Mother! What would you do with it? You can't hold it; Father couldn't hold it. You've lost your magical power, and touching it would burn your hand in an instant."
Alison's brows furrowed in frustration, her concern deepening. "You're so ungrateful, James. Do you realize everything I've sacrificed for you?"
James, his irritation evident, met his mother's gaze with unwavering resolve. "Are you saying it's all for me? No, Mother, you're wrong. You lost your magic because of your own mistakes, not mine. You couldn't even kill him. But anyway, I now possess the immortal stone."
Alison narrowed her eyes and turned her gaze away from her son in disgust. She had gone to great lengths and made immense sacrifices, all for the sake of her son. Yet it appeared that her love and efforts had been in vain, leaving her feeling unappreciated and abandoned.
James, feeling the weight of his mother's frustration and mistrust, tried to explain himself. "Mother, I didn't mean to keep it from you. Do you have any idea how risky it was? I simply couldn't hold it."
He pleaded with his mother, hoping to bridge the gap that had grown between them. "Mother, you can see it for yourself if you go to Father's room. He kept it with him."
Alison's eyes widened with surprise and disbelief. "He kept it with him? Didn't you say his hand would burn too?"
James nodded, his voice tinged with uncertainty. "Yes, but I don't know what Camilla did to him. He carried it with him, and I think Father gave her permission to access the ancient library."
Alison's shock deepened her incredulous voice. "What the hell? Are you serious? Draven doesn't allow anyone in there, so why her?"
"Maybe there are some books that can help Camilla do a ritual for an immortal stone," James said.
James's suggestion that there might be books in the ancient library that could help Camilla with a ritual for the immortal stone seemed plausible, yet Alison couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to the story.
Alison narrowed her eyes, deep in thought. It was unlike Draven to permit access to the ancient library, particularly for someone like Camilla. What was the real reason behind this unexpected allowance?
While she pondered, Alison rose from her seat, her expression becoming more resolute. She turned to James and said, "James, your father doesn't allow anyone in that library for a reason. I have a feeling that he's hiding something there, and he wouldn't permit Camilla to go alone."
James, his curiosity piqued, questioned his mother, "Mother, what could he possibly be hiding? Richard has permission to enter the library as well."
Alison nodded slowly, her thoughts lingering on the past. "I don't know, James, but something happened in that library while you were on your mission. I heard that an intruder managed to enter."
"James," Alison suddenly spoke, her voice filled with a sense of urgency. "I'm going to meet your father. You can rest, dear."
James, who had been physically and emotionally drained for the past few months, let out a sigh of relief. The prospect of finally getting some rest was a welcome one.
"Okay, Mother," he replied, exhaustion creeping into his voice.
Alison, however, had more on her mind. She leaned in closer to her son and spoke in hushed tones, her expression concerned. "And one thing, James, keep a close eye on Camilla. I have a bad feeling about her."
James couldn't argue with his mother's logic. It did seem peculiar, especially considering the lengths to which others had gone to obtain these magical artifacts. "You have a point, Mother. I'll keep an eye on her."
Alison added, "She's become remarkably confident, and one more thing... James, do you find it strange that Adela and Richard haven't acquired an immortal stone? Do you believe they're telling the truth?"
James furrowed his brow, giving his mother's words some serious thought. He had been so focused on their mission and the quest for the immortal stone that he hadn't questioned his companions' claims. Alison's doubts raised important questions.
"Why do you say that, Mother?" James asked, genuinely intrigued.
Alison leaned back, her eyes distant as she continued, "Adela is powerful, undoubtedly. How can someone with her abilities not have acquired an immortal stone by now?"
Alison nodded, her expression a mix of concern and determination. She had always been astute and cautious, and her instincts rarely led her astray. The revelation about Camilla's mysterious rise in power had ignited her suspicions, and Adela... What about her?
**
Camilla stood in front of Wilson, the air thick with anticipation. Wilson, engrossed in examining old documents, paid her no mind.
As Camilla waited, her patience waned. She couldn't fathom why Wilson had asked her to be present if he wasn't going to speak. Her eyes, a shade of deep blue that mirrored her magical prowess, flitted sideways in an unspoken gesture of irritation. She let out a soft sigh, her lips curling in an exasperated smile, before she finally gave in to the urge to roll her eyes.
But the passage of time wore on, and still, Wilson remained absorbed in the ancient documents before him. His brows were furrowed in concentration as he studied the brittle pages, his hands handling the fragile pieces of history with care.
Growing increasingly impatient, Camilla couldn't hold her words any longer. The room was stifling with the weight of unspoken intentions, and she finally broke the silence. Her voice held a note of exasperation and curiosity as she addressed her master.
"Master, what's happening?" Camilla asked, her words breaking the stillness. "I'm sure you didn't summon me here just to stand like this."
Wilson's unwavering gaze locked onto Camilla as she listened to his words.
"Camilla," he said, pronouncing her name with a deliberate pause, ensuring her full attention.
To be continued.