Olivia's POV
The seer stood across from me, her worried eyes fixed on mine. "Are you ready?" she asked for the last time.
"Yes," I breathed. "I'm ready."
She nodded once, her expression unreadable, then motioned for me to kneel beside the bed. My mother lay there, still as stone, her body pale and thin from ten years of being trapped in this cursed sleep. My hands trembled as I reached for hers.
"She's been gone for a long time," the seer reminded me softly. "To call her back will take more than magic—it will take your spirit. Do you understand?"
"I understand," I whispered, my throat tight.
The seer began chanting in a low, rhythmic voice. Candles flickered, shadows dancing across the walls. A silver circle surrounded the bed, the runes glowing faintly as if waking from a long slumber.
"Place your palms over her heart," the seer instructed.
