Betty's POV.

The High Priestess’s staff exploded into white light, swallowing the chamber and the next breath I took was cold.

I stumbled as my boots hit solid ground again.

The world steadied, sharpening into the familiar grey walls of the castle courtyard, tucked deep inside a narrow passageway hidden between the old armoury and the west tower.

Claire clutched my arm.“We’re here,” she whispered.

But the courtyard was… too quiet. 

There was no clash of steel, no roars of ...