The Forgotten Ties

barely slept, her dreams haunted by the emblem and fragments of Latin phrases she couldn't fully recall. By the t

yptic words hinted at a secret society or ritualistic practices, the archives wouldn't be enou

ans on Revolutionary War-era politics. Maggie hesitated before clicking send. She didn't know Dr. Hargrove personally, an

e's phone buzzed wit

zabeth

accounts of an obscure Revolutionary War committee. I suggest we meet in person. My

. The Smithsonian. This wasn't just some dusty r

ous thoughts and fleeting glances at her bag, where the photocopies of Jefferson's letter and

it, her sharp eyes scanning Maggie like she was an exhibit herself. "You're

filled with antique maps, books, and relics from America's earliest

ression darkened. "This... this is dange

real? The emblem, the phrase-doe

a secret committee formed in 1776-a group that called themselves The Ivory Crucible. Their goal was to

aggie pressed, her voi

the United States, they needed to tap into powers beyond our comprehension. Rituals, sacrifices, and e

aven't I ever heard of this? Why

e was systematically destroyed-at least, that's what we thought. If you've f

racing. "Do you think they succeeded? Thes

inet. From it, she withdrew a faded leather-bound book.

ed script. Words like "summoning," "unseen forces," and "blood pri

was unspeakable, but the results... extraordinar

is real, Maggie, then what you've stumbled up

book slowly. "A

, but to protect us. And if you keep digging, you

s pulling her deeper, even if she didn't k