76. Time Stream

Meanwhile, across the stone halls of the Vampsion, Jayden was pulled from sleep by the sharp trill of his phone. He groaned, blinking at the screen. The name “Emric” lit up in bold letters. He answered, his voice groggy. “What is it?” “You need to see this. Now.” That was all Emric said before ending the call. Jayden was wide awake in seconds, dressing quickly and making his way through the winding halls. When he arrived at the chamber Emric had directed him to, he found Brigid standing near a stone pedestal, her expression unreadable. Emric was beside her, arms crossed and tense. Brigid’s intense gaze locked onto Jayden the moment he stepped in. After a pause filled with silent deliberation, she finally spoke. “Jayden… there’s something you need to see,” she said quietly. On the pedestal sat a goblet—an ordinary-looking one, at first glance. But the air around it felt charged, humming with ancient energy. Jayden could feel it crawling across his skin like static. Brigid reached into h