She was trembling, unable to stay still. Alix approached her and gently took her shoulders.
"Listen... you should rest. This is too much for you. Come up here, okay?"
Miria hesitated, then nodded. Without a word, she left the room, her heart heavy, her thoughts swirling.
As soon as she was out of sight, Alix stared at Asher.
"You think it's him?"
Asher clenched his fists.
"No doubt. Only he would do this."
"But why?" Alix murmured.
"To sow chaos, of course. Remember how he acted six years ago. Serial murders, all signed. He wants people to panic, to fight each other. And this time... I think it's just beginning."
Alix remained silent for a moment, digesting the implications.
"Whatever he's up to... it won't be anything good. But... explain. What does Miria have to do with him?"
Asher looked away, confused.
"Miria's father... Darell... used to work with him."
Alix stepped back, stunned.
"Wait... what?!"
"They were in the same organization. And... they even managed to locate the Grimoire."
"The grimoire?!" Alix cried. "You mean... the Grimoire of the Ancients?"
Asher nodded gravely.
"Yes... that one."
"But... why? Why would he agree to work with him, knowing what he was? An enemy, a monster!"
"I never knew that." I should have asked Katrina... but by then, she'd disappeared. Right after Darell died.
The name made Alix shudder.
"Darell?... Wait, not... Darell and Katrina? Aren't those the two you studied with twenty-four years ago?"
Asher sighed deeply.
"Yes. They are."
A heavy silence fell. Then Alix frowned.
"What are you playing at, Asher?"
"What are you talking about?" he asked, flustered.
"You know exactly what I'm talking about. You're spending time with your ex-girlfriend's daughter..."
"Shh..." Asher said quickly, lowering his voice. "This isn't okay, is it?"
He looked away, visibly uncomfortable.