Chapter 45: Magic from the north

As the night deepened, Mara crept through the corridors of the Blackthorn mansion, her heart pounding with a mixture of anticipation and unease. The events of the day weighed heavily on her mind, particularly the tense exchange she had witnessed between Lady Cordelia and Lord Blackthorn. Their hushed voices and sharp gestures had set her on edge, though she couldn't quite piece together what it all meant.

Now, as she prepared to slip out for her visit to Zafron in the village, a commotion near the main entrance caught her attention. Peering cautiously around a corner, she saw Lord Blackthorn's carriage departing, the clatter of hooves echoing in the still night air. Beside the carriage, illuminated by the flickering lantern light, stood Gustavo, the lord's most trusted — and feared — enforcer.

A chill ran down Mara's spine. Lord Blackthorn rarely left the mansion at this hour, and never with Gustavo in tow, unless something was terribly wrong.