The sheer volume of information Davin revealed was overwhelming, yet his story was airtight—it practically rang true. Elliana’s doubts melted away. Her mother had trusted him enough to share her origins and the history of the Medical Codex. That immense trust said enough. Surely, she shouldn’t hide the fact that Sophie was Cole’s mother.

Elliana probed, “Did my mother take Cole’s mother with her when she left Ublento?”

Davin faltered, caught off guard by the question.

Elliana didn’t notice his reaction and continued, “My mother knew she couldn’t stay in Ublento anymore, but she was worried about Sophie’s illness. She must have taken Sophie with her to depart from Ublento, right?”

In that instant, the pieces clicked into place for Davin. Sophie was Cole’s mother. He thought back—after Jarrett’s marriage, his wife had never shown her face in public. No one knew who she was. He had never imagined she was Sophie—the woman the Griffiths had hunted for years. And now, Elliana had unknowingly revealed it. This was a surprising finding. Maxine would be overjoyed.

Davin steadied himself and forced a grave look. “Your mother never told me that. But since Sophie suffered from Psychephrenia, there’s a very real chance Cole inherited it from her. Being with him is dangerous, Elliana. Those with Psychephrenia can turn violent. In their episodes, they often wound the very people they love most.”

“I’ve already cured Cole of his Psychephrenia,” Elliana said.

Davin froze, stunned. “You actually cured Psychephrenia?”

“Yes,” Elliana replied, her mind already moving elsewhere. “Did my mother ever tell you where the Griffiths family keeps their main base?”

“Your mother once told me,” Davin began, “that the Serpent Society—ruled by the Griffiths—has stretched its grip to every corner of the world. Their influence is frightening. But no one knows where their headquarters is. It’s their most guarded secret, known only to a chosen few.” He leaned closer. “If you want to uncover it, you’ll need to find Maxine first. The problem is, she’s like smoke—never in one place for long. Tracking her down won’t be easy.”

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Elliana didn’t look surprised. Her father and brother had already filled her in on the Griffiths and their Serpent Society this afternoon.

Three centuries ago, the Campbells had nearly crushed the Serpent Society. The Griffiths had barely clung to life, holding on to just a thread of their bloodline. From that day, they guarded their stronghold with iron fists. If war sparked again between the two families, that hidden base would be the Griffiths’ final refuge.

The tangled history made Elliana’s head pound. She pressed her temples, weary of it all. The feud stretched back a thousand years, yet her mother was an adopted Griffiths, her father the Campbell leader, and she loved Cole—a man with Griffiths blood. If she and Cole had children, whose bloodline would they claim? Campbell or Griffiths?

She sighed, rubbing her temples again. It was a knot that couldn’t be untied.

Davin had thought the same thing, though his face betrayed nothing. Instead, he asked, “So, what will you do next?”

“I’ll keep searching for my mother. And I need to find Maxine. It’s time to put an end to all of this,” Elliana said firmly.

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