**Chapter 15: Shadows Within**

As they navigated the winding corridors, the darkness seemed to swallow them whole, and Mirani stumbled, her hand reaching out for support. Riven's grip on her elbow steadied her, his touch sending a shiver down her spine. She couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched, that Ed's eyes were still trained on them, waiting for his moment to strike. The air grew thick with the scent of old books and dust, and Mirani realized they were moving through a labyrinthine library. Shelves towered above them, their wooden surfaces adorned with intricate carvings that seemed to writhe and twist in the flickering candlelight. Riven led her deeper into the stacks, the silence broken only by the soft whisper of pages rustling in the draft from their passage. Mirani's mind reeled with questions, but she hesitated to ask them aloud. She didn't know what to make of Riven, or what his true intentions were. Was he a savior, or a monster? She glanced up at him, searching for answers in his eyes, but they seemed to hold only shadows and secrets. As they turned a corner, a faint glow appeared in the distance. Riven's pace quickened, and Mirani found herself drawn to the light, her heart pounding in her chest. They emerged into a small, circular room, the walls lined with a dazzling array of candles that cast a kaleidoscope of colors across the floor. In the center of the room, a single figure sat at a beautifully crafted wooden desk, surrounded by scattered parchments and quills. The figure looked up as they entered, and Mirani gasped as she recognized the woman from the painting in Ed's mansion. Lyra's eyes, piercing and green, locked onto hers, and a small, enigmatic smile played on her lips. "Welcome, Mirani," Lyra said, her voice low and melodious. "I've been expecting you. And Riven, I see you've brought our guest." Riven bowed, his movements fluid and precise. "Lyra, as always, it's a pleasure." Lyra's gaze lingered on Mirani, and for a moment, they simply stared at each other. Mirani felt a sense of connection, as if Lyra held the key to unlocking the secrets of her past. "Please, sit down," Lyra said, gesturing to a chair beside the desk. "We have much to discuss, and little time to waste." Mirani hesitated, unsure of what to expect, but Riven's gentle pressure on her shoulder urged her forward. She sat, her eyes locked on Lyra's, as the woman began to speak, her words weaving a spell of revelation and wonder. "You see, Mirani, you are not who you think you are. Your past, your memories, they're all a fabrication, a carefully constructed lie. Ed has been manipulating you, using you for his own purposes. But I can show you the truth, if you're willing to see it." Mirani's mind reeled as Lyra's words struck her like a blow. What did she mean? What truth lay hidden beneath the surface of her reality? She glanced at Riven, searching for answers, but his eyes seemed to hold only shadows and secrets.