After a short rest, Caitlin decided to stop by the sanatorium before leaving. She wanted to take care of Ida’s. situation first.


    With the help of Director Tobias, she met with the girl again. The moment Ida saw her<b>, </b>she lit up and tried to run forward. But her weak body betrayed her, and she stumbled right in front of Caitlin. Caitlin caught her gently and smiled.


    “Ida, rememberst time I promised to make your wishe true? I found your brother.”


    “Really?” Ida’s eyes widened, full of hope.


    “Yes. He’s working out of town right now, so he can’te see you in person. But he asked me to bring you something.”


    Caitlin pulled out a tablet and yed the video ck Hawk had recorded. The moment Ida saw his face, her eyes flooded with tears.


    “It’s him… It’s really my brother… Her voice trembled as she touched the screen, listening to his words of encouragement, nodding over and over again.


    By the time the video ended, she was sobbing openly. Caitlin gently wiped her tears and said, “You heard him. He wants you to get better soon. You have to be strong. Ida.


    “I will. I promise.”


    “Good. Your brother also arranged the best doctors for you. They’re ready to start your treatment, if you’re willing.”


    “I am. I want to go.”


    “That’s all I needed to hear. I’ll have my people take care of everything. This tablet is yours–whenever you miss him, just turn it on and he’ll be right there.”


    Ida clutched the tablet tightly. “Thank you… thank you so much.”


    Caitlin hugged her, then left two of her men to handle the paperwork and arrange the transfer. There was nothing more she could do–Ida’s future would depend on her own courage and perseverance.


    With Ida’s wish fulfilled, Caitlin and her <b>team </b>set out for Ebonreach Isle.


    They had done their homework beforeing to Country A. The ind was known as a resort and retreat <b>destination</b>, praised for its beauty. ck Hawk had said her mother hadn’t been mistreated, but Caitlin still had no idea what condition she might be in now.


    From Sanctis Harbor, they boarded a ferry. The ocean stretched endlessly around them, waves rising and falling beneath the keel. White gulls wheeled overhead, their <b>cries </b>carried away by the wind. Clouds gathered in soft, cotton–like clusters across the horizon, and the view was breathtaking.


    Caitlin, Sebastian, and James stood at the bow, the <b>wind </b>whipping through their hair as the silhouette of a


    16:07 Tue, Sep 9 B**


    <b>Chapter </b>6201


    dark ind emerged in the distance.


    “There it is. Ehonreach Isle.”


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    Even from afar, they could see a towering white structure on the ind, shaped almost like a fortress, its top crowned with turning des of a wind turbine.


    “Could <b>that </b>be the white building ck Hawk mentioned?” Caitlin studied the map in her <b>hand</b>. “It’s marked as a power station here.”


    She frowned. “It doesn’t make sense. Why would he keep my mother in a power station?”


    “Don’t jump to conclusions, Sebastian told her. “We’ll know once we get there.”


    The ferry drew closer. What had looked like a small ind from afar revealed itself to be muchrger up close. The docks alone stretched wide, crowded with ferries and <b>fishing </b>boats. Tourists poured on and off while locals bustled to and fro, shouting offers for rides, hotels, and souvenirs.


    Once they disembarked, Tyler arranged three shuttle vans to take the group to their hotel. Only after they’d checked in and left their luggage behind did they set out to explore.


    Their first destination was the power station, but inside they found only tourists snapping pictures. The ce was more of a sightseeing spot than anything else. No one could possibly live there.


    “This isn’t it. There aren’t any heather nts here,” Caitlin said, her disappointment clear.


    <b>Sebastian </b>squeezed her shoulder. “We’ll keep looking. It’s not the only white building on the ind.”


    Tyler nodded. “Exactly. I asked <b>around</b>–there are several. We’ll check them one by one.”


    By nightfall, they had only crossed a fraction of the <b>ind</b>. Everyone <b>was </b>exhausted. Sebastian insisted they rest and continue tomorrow.


    Later that night, Caitlin received a call from Zeke.


    “Any luck?” he asked.


    “Not yet. The ind is bigger than I expected. We’ll try again tomorrow.”


    “You’ll find her. If she’s here, you’ll find her.” His voice carried steady reassurance.


    “How are you holding up over there?” she asked.


    “Still breathing. That’s enough.” He chuckled, but behind the humor Caitlin could sense the danger he was constantly <b>under</b>.


    After hanging up, Caitlin still couldn’t sleep. She wanted air. Sebastian walked with her, with Tyler and James <b>shadowing </b>them at a distance.


    The ind was alive with nightlife. Cool breezes swept away the day’s <b>heat</b>. Tourists thronged the beaches, while bars and shops along the boardwalk glowed with light andughter.


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    Vendors stopped them with trays of trinkets. Sebastian bought a glowing witch headband and slipped it onto Caitlin’s head. Then he grabbed a ridiculous mask, strapped it over his face, and started speaking in aically distorted voice.


    Caitlin burst intoughter, hitting his arm. “You’re ridiculous.”


    “I just wanted to see you <b>smile</b>,” he said warmly, catching her hand. “Don’t push <b>yourself </b>so hard.”


    “I know…” Her voice trailed off, the weight of the day dragging at her. She had been so full of confidence this morning, but after hours of fruitless searching, she couldn’t shake the fear. What if ck Hawk had lied? What if she never found her mother? The thought gnawed at her.


    “Forget it for now. Let’s treat this as a vacation. If we find her tomorrow, it’ll be a miracle waiting to happen.”


    He wrapped his arm around her shoulders as they walked along the busy street. And for the first time that day, Caitlin allowed herself to breathe.


    AD


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