As the sun set, the large wooden gate to Astelworth creaked open, and Valina helped Chalea shuffle through. She had been worried for her teacher the entire way—she had spent nearly two days trapped in the world of shadows, using her pact’s magic far too frequently. What’s more, she hadn’t even slept for the entire duration, but she still somehow made herself walk.

“We’re finding an inn,” Valina said.

“No,” Chalea started, “There’s too much to ...