Book 3: A Welcome Sight

Rainer

The drive from Carmine Falls to Crimson Peak is long, but we don’t dare stop anywhere except for when we have to get gas. After Lydia’s abduction in Burgundy Bay, none of us know which of our ally territories have been compromised. There’s no relaxing till we reach the border of Crimson Peak. Castle Graystone is a welcome sight after my long, awful adventure, especially my stay at Castle Pestera.

It’s the middle of the night, so sending a message ahead through telepathy hasn’t worked as most of the castle’s residents are asleep, so there’s no one there to greet us at the courtyard. Thomas parks the car, and Ivy exits first. She holds the car door open as I carry Lydia out. The potion Ivy brewed for her is truly effective as she has not stirred at all throughout our entire journey.

Lydia feels cold to the touch. Her limbs are stiff, and to any outside party, she appears to be dead. It's only because I’m holding her that I can feel and hear th