Clarice sipped her tea slowly, her fingers trembling just enough for Nicole to notice. The sky above them had turned a bruised shade of violet and pink, the darker kind that pressed against the horizon before a storm. Even the garden felt wrong too quiet, the wind too still, as if the world itself were holding its breath.
In the far distance, the Duchess's barrier pulsed faintly, a jagged seam in the sky. A shimmering wall of white and black magic that twisted the air around it. Every time Clarice went near it, she weakened… now Nicole saw the proof in her friend's face; her skin had turned pale, her lips slightly duller.
Clarice's eyes were fixed on that distant shimmer as if it were stalking her thoughts.
Nicole hummed softly, trying to bring her friend back.
"Clarice… what's the matter? You seem frightened."
Clarice's jaw tightened. Her voice came out low.
"Because I am frightened."
Nicole leaned in.
Clarice took a shaky breath not sure what to think or do.
