<b>"What do you mean he doesn’t know where Irene is?" Phoebe’s voice was sharp, laced with worry.</b>
<b>Freya exhaled heavily, rubbing her temples. "Jericho said Irene told him she was with you."</b>
<b>Phoebe’s stomach twisted. "But she wasn’t. She’s not with me now, and she hasn’t been all night."</b>
<b>Freya nodded, her frustration evident. "Exactly. And to make things worse, he sounded drunk."</b>
<b>Dahlia, who had been quietly observing from the window, turned to face them. Outside, the sky was darkening, thick clouds rolling in with the promise of a heavy downpour. "If he''s drunk, he shouldn’t be out there looking for her alone," she said, concern creeping into her voice. "Especially with this storm coming. He needs help."</b>
This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
<b>Airam, arms crossed tightly, nodded in agreement. "We can’t let him go alone. He’ll need backup."</b>
<b>"Then we split up," Iris suggested, her usual calm tinged with urgency. "Some of us go help Jericho search for Irene, and the rest go to Airam’s house to check out this book. When they find her, meet up at Airam''s house."</b>
<b>"That’s a solid plan," Airam agreed. "Who’s going with Jericho?"</b>
<b>"I am," Phoebe said immediately. Her jaw was set, her body tense.</b>
<b>"I’ll go too," Sean added, his usual easygoing demeanor replaced by quiet determination.</b>
<b>"And me," Iris said firmly.</b>
<b>"Okay, then it’s settled," Airam said. "Freya, can you call Jericho? Try to talk some sense into him—let him know we’re coming to help."</b>
<b>Freya pulled out her phone, already dialing. "I’ll do my best," she muttered. "But if he’s as drunk as he sounded, this might take some convincing."</b>
<b>As the storm rumbled in the distance, the group exchanged uneasy glances. There was no telling where Irene was—or what had happened to her. But one thing was certain: they had to find her. Fast.</b>