Chapter Eighty Six

The adrenaline from their meeting with Dr. Thorne had faded, replaced by the sobering realization of the challenges that lay ahead. Back in Sarah's apartment, the team huddled around the coffee table, the weight of their encounter settling upon them like a tangible force.

"So, how do you think it went?" Jason asked, his voice laced with nervous anticipation.

Sarah, replaying the conversation in her mind, let out a shaky breath. "She was definitely intrigued. I could see the wheels turning in her head."

Alex, ever the pragmatist, chimed in, "Intrigued is one thing, convinced is another. We barely scratched the surface with her. Remember, discretion is paramount. We can't afford to reveal everything at once."

"But how much is enough?" Jason countered, frustration creeping into his voice. "We need resources to move forward, to unlock the secrets of the artifact. We can't just sit here analyzing the journal for another year."

A tense silence descended upon them. The weight of Alex's cauti