Without bothering to knock, I shot inside Ivy's house and found her sitting in the living room with my mother.
Their heads snapped toward me as I stood there, panting for breath.
"Where's Anna?" I blurted, skipping any form of greeting. That could wait.
Ivy stood up immediately. "In her room. Come this way."
She led me upstairs, my mother following closely behind. The moment Ivy opened the door, a chill ran down my spine. The air inside felt thick—almost suffocating—like the miasma from the demon realm.
Anna lay on the bed, wrapped in sheets with only her face visible. Her forehead was damp with sweat, her eyes twitching as if she were trapped in a nightmare.
I hurried to her side and sat on the edge of the bed, gently pressing a hand to her forehead. The moment my skin touched hers, she seemed to calm slightly.
I turned to my mother and Ivy. "Can you give us some privacy?"
They exchanged a glance before nodding and stepping out, closing the door behind them.
