Chapter 32

The morning light filtered through the windows of the Mercer household, casting long shadows across the breakfast table. Elara sat with a bowl of porridge, her eyes fixed on the young girl sitting opposite her. Willow Blackwood sat perfectly still, her expression unreadable and her presence so subdued it was almost as if she were trying to blend into the furniture. Ezra Mercer leaned back in his chair, catching Elara's intense gaze. "She's a quiet one, Elara. Don't expect a lot of chatter,"...