#Chapter48 In danger

Theodore The banquet hall hummed with laughter and chatter, but I couldn’t shake the nagging feeling crawling under my skin. Violet had stepped out with Helena a while ago, but I hadn’t seen her return. My eyes scanned the crowd, searching for a flash of her dress or the shine of her hair, but she was nowhere in sight. Dahlia approached me, concern flickering in her gaze. “You’re restless. What’s wrong?” “Violet,” I admitted. “She’s been gone too long.” Before Dahlia could respond, a firm hand tugged on my arm. I turned to see the High Priestess, her expression calm but urgent. “Walk with me,” she said, gesturing toward the doors leading out of the banquet hall. I hesitated, but something about her demeanor left no room for argument. I followed her to the threshold, where the noise of the crowd faded to a low murmur behind us. “Is this about Violet?” I asked, impatience sharpening my tone. “Yes,” she said, producing a small, intricately carved token from within her robe