Ophelia tore through the dimly lit chamber, flinging aside curtains and overturning furniture in a frantic search. Katelyn vanished without a trace.
"How…?" Ophelia hissed through clenched teeth, pacing in tight circles. "She can't teleport. I bound her myself. How did she break my spell?"
She snatched the scrying orb from its pedestal one last time, pouring her will into it. The glassy surface swirled with shadow and smoke… Then cleared to empty nothingness.
Fury surged hot in her chest. Her fingers tightened around the discarded rope still stained with Katelyn's blood.
"I still have this," she muttered in a low voice. "Her blood is mine. I can call her back, drag her right through whatever veil they've thrown up."
She stormed back to the ritual circle chalked on the stone floor, the candles guttering wildly as she passed. Kneeling, she smeared the rope's blood across the sigils, chanting some spells.
