CHAPTER 109 - Traitors in Our Midst

Ryan I sprinted over to Lyra, my heart racing with worry. Without hesitation, I whipped off my t-shirt and covered her with it, shielding her from the roving eyes of the crowd. The sight of her exhausted, weakened body filled me with a fierce protectiveness. I cradled her in my arms, feeling the warmth of her skin against mine. Lyra's lips moved, trying to form words, but only slurred sounds escaped. "Ryan...dark...magic...necklace..." she mumbled before her eyes fluttered closed, causing my heart to clench with fear. Suddenly, Killian called out to me, his voice laced with urgency. "Ryan, come take a look at this!" He held up a delicate silver chain, a pendant dangling from its end. As I stepped closer, I could see his eyes were wide, a look of startling realization dawning on his face. "It's the necklace Wista crafted for Lyra, the one meant to ward off dark magic." He turned the pendant over in his hands, examining it closely. "Someone must have used dark magic against her during