The next morning came quietly, sunlight breaking through the blinds in Mrs. Adele's modest home. Marissa was still asleep, sprawled under a blanket on the couch, but Isadora was already awake. She had risen before the first call of birds outside, her mind buzzing with determination.
When Mrs. Adele entered the small study, she found Isadora seated on the rug, eyes shut, a cup trembling faintly in the air before her.
"You're awake early," Adele said softly.
The cup wobbled and clattered back onto the table. Isadora let out a breath and rubbed her temples. "I wanted to practice before you came in. I'm still shaky, but I don't want to waste time. You said it yourself—time flows differently here. Every day I spend here, weeks pass in Veridium. I need to be ready."
