The next day, Elara finally came back to her senses. She jolted awake, her heart racing, and looked around the room in confusion. Anya was sitting beside her, concern softening her eyes. She handed Elara a glass of water.
"Don't worry," Anya said gently. "We haven't read the book yet. We'll read it with you."
Slowly, she sat up, brushing the loose strands of hair from her face. She managed a small smile and took the glass, her fingers trembling slightly as she took a sip.
Just then, Rayna burst into the room, her expression tense. "The spirit has taken over..." she said, out of breath.
Elara choked on her drink, coughing as Anya's eyes widened. "Did Zara call you?" Anya asked quickly.
Rayna nodded. Though her face stayed composed, the slight tremor in her hands betrayed her fear. "Yes. We must not take her name. And let's finish the book fast."
Elara set the glass aside and pushed herself out of bed. The trio exchanged grim looks before walking out of the room together. They sat on the floor, with Anya holding the old book carefully in her hands. She looked at the others, took a deep breath, and began to read.
"Forcefully, the princess started meeting Prince Adrian. Even though she never liked him, she had to attend balls with him, pretend to smile, and eventually… they became friends. At first, we all thought the prince truly loved her, the way he treated her...until…"
A sudden knock on the door made Anya stop mid-sentence. The three girls shared uneasy glances. Rayna stood up cautiously and went to open it.
A woman stood there, holding a suitcase. Her face was familiar, elegant, and calm. Rayna frowned, tilting her head. "I've seen you somewhere before."
The woman bowed with a sweet smile and ran her hand through her hair, "I just grew my hair, Professor. Nothing else changed."
Elara came from behind, hearing the known voice. Her face lit up, "Elisa?!" Elara exclaimed and stepped closer.
Elisa grinned, and the two friends rushed to hug each other tightly.
Meanwhile, Anya gasped and hurried toward them, her heartbeat quickening. Her eyes went wide as she saw Elisa's face. "Elisa?!"
Elara and Elisa broke the hug, turning toward her. Rayna snapped her fingers as recognition hit. "Right! Elisa Rochefort, from the Parapsychology Department. Girl with short hair and charming smile."
Elisa nodded with a playful smile. "And not to forget, Elara's best friend."
Elara laughed softly and patted her back. "Come inside, come on."
She helped her with the bags, and Rayna closed the door behind her while Anya was rooted where she was standing.
As Elara and Elisa went inside, Rayna nudged her playfully. "Don't stare," Rayna teased, a smirk tugging at her lips.
Anya rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. "Why wouldn't I? I like her."
Rayna raised a brow but chuckled. "Trust me, you're the most straightforward and shameless student I've ever taught."
Anya huffed dramatically. "Oh, really? As if you aren't shameless yourself, Professor." She teased, and Rayna cleared her throat, "Such a waste you are, Anya."
Anya giggled, and both went closer to Elara and Elisa. Rayna pulled out a chair while Anya placed the book carefully on the shelf.
"So," Rayna asked, "why are you here? And how did you even find this place?"
Elisa smirked as she pulled out a chair for herself. "Oh, Elara called me. She asked if I could help with this case, so I did some digging… and here I am. But tell me, what's the latest update?"
Anya raised her hand. "The soul has taken over Arin's body. And Zara, she somehow escaped using her invisibility."
Elisa frowned and leaned forward. "Tell Zara not to come here. Spirits can see, and even if they can't, they feel. It'd be foolish to think Arin, or the thing inside her, hasn't noticed her, baby."
Rayna and Elara's eyes widened in horror. Rayna immediately stepped aside to call Zara, while Elara pressed her hand to her forehead, trying to think.
Meanwhile, Anya's lips twitched into a smile at the word baby.
Elisa caught it instantly and smirked. "You haven't changed. Still focusing on all the wrong things."
Anya blinked, then narrowed her eyes. "At least I focus on something. Unlike you, blind even when you can see."
Elisa chuckled and gestured for her to sit. "Sit down, trouble."
Elara cleared her throat. "Don't mind me ruining your upcoming relationship, but can we please focus on saving my girl first?" Her voice carried a mix of irritation and affection.
Both Anya and Elisa looked away quickly, clearing their throats. Rayna returned, holding her phone. "Zara's on the line."
Elisa took the phone. "Hey, Zara. It's Elisa. However, before you gasp, listen, go back to her place, and act normal. Don't let her know you know anything. If she finds out, she'll get aggressive."
Zara's shaky voice came through. "Maybe she already knows… What should I do?"
Elisa leaned back in her chair. "Then tell her you were just pranking her, pretending to be invisible. You're the best liar I know, so use that, girl. Lie to her, simple, but please don't be obvious."
Zara swallowed hard, gave a weak hum, and the call ended. Elisa looked at the group. "Alright. Read the book, but please not the whole thing. Just the basics. We don't have time to be a reader. We need to know if any of her bloodline still exists."
Anya nodded, stood up, and went to the shelf. She took the book carefully and sat down in a chair. Her fingers trembled slightly as she opened it to read.
Elisa huffed, leaning back in her chair. "I said, read the last pages. We don't need to know how she was killed, just whether her bloodline survived."
Anya frowned but nodded obediently. She flipped through the pages until she reached the end. Her eyes scanned the lines in silence, her brows slowly knitting together.
"Umm…" she murmured, hesitation in her tone. "Yes. It says some commoners managed to save her only son. And the family changed their last name to…"
She turned the final page, her lips curling into a small smile. "Thorne."
But the smile vanished almost instantly as realization struck. Her gaze snapped up to the others, eyes widening in disbelief.
Rayna swallowed hard, her throat tightening. "What… what's Arin's family name again?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Elara's lips parted as the color drained from her face. "Thorne," she breathed.