Page 132

"That's not possible." Mira shook her head. "After what happened in Draxon–"

"Something's changed," Raven said quietly, studying us with sharp eyes. "Hasn't it?"

"What exactly happened in that meeting?" Vexa's eyes darted between Aether and me, her usual confidence wavering.

I sank into the nearest chair, the weight of everything pressing down on me. My father. A prince. The implications scattered my thoughts every time I tried to grasp them.

"We told him about the siphon," Aether said, moving to place a hand on the back of my chair. "About the King of Sídhe."

"And he just... believed you?" Effie's brow furrowed. "Just like that?"

"There were other factors," Aether replied carefully.

"What factors?" Rethlyn asked, speaking for the first time. "What aren't you telling us?"

The door opened before either of us could respond. Urkin entered, and the room fell silent. Some form of tired determination ringed his eyes, and his rigid posture had softened with exhaustion. He surveyed us all before speaking.

"I'm leaving for Stravene within the hour to address the Council." His voice lacked its usual command. "The rest of you will proceed to Riftdremar as discussed. Raven will remain here to maintain communication between realms."

The confusion in the room was palpable. Effie's mouth fell open, while Vexa's eyes narrowed with suspicion.

"Two others will join you," Urkin continued. "A Sentinel whose tether allows manipulation of stone and minerals, and an Archivist skilled in cartography. They'll meet you at the stables this evening."

Without another word, he turned and walked out, leaving the room in stunned silence.

"What in the Void just happened?" Mira's voice shook slightly.

"How did you manage this?" Vexa asked, taking a step toward me. "One minute the Sentinels are dragging you off, and the next Urkin's giving us permission to desert?"

Questions buzzed around me like insects, but I couldn't focus on any single voice. My attention kept drifting to absurd details—the way Effie's fingers twisted her rings, how Rethlyn's shadow stretched across the floor, the slight tremor in Mira's hands. Anything to avoid processing the weight of what we'd learned in Urkin's office.

"A mineral specialist will help with the arcanite," Mira said, "but why send an Archivist?"

"It's a huge continent. That type of skillset will certainly help us navigate it," Rethlyn said, though his brow was still creased in confusion.

"How are we all going to get there?" Effie said, slumping back down in a chair.

"I have my Vördr now. Right before the meeting, Easkath claimed me." Mira hid a grin that threatened her lips.

Rethlyn shot her a proud smile. "Excellent, Mira?—"

"I'm more concerned about why Urkin suddenly supports this," Theron cut in. "He was ready to have us all arrested this morning."

"Something changed his mind." Vexa's eyes hadn't left my face.

"Whatever it is," Theron's voice turned sharp, "it better be worth risking our lives over. Some of us don't have the luxury of running off on secret missions whenever we feel like it and keeping things from the rest of the unit." His eyes fixed on me.

Aether's form shifted, shadows writhing beneath his skin as he advanced on Theron. The air seemed to still around him, and when he spoke, his voice carried a viciousness I'd never heard before. "You will never speak to her that way again."

The threat in his words made my pulse quicken, though I wasn't sure if it was from fear or something else entirely.

The room stilled. Even Theron seemed to lose his earlier bravado, confusion washing over him.

"Aether," Vexa said carefully, "what's gotten into you?"

Everyone's attention shifted to me, questions burning in their eyes. The truth sat heavy on my tongue, but I couldn't make the words form.

Aether's golden eyes found mine, carrying an intensity that made my chest tight. He was waiting for me to decide—to either reveal everything or keep it hidden. But my mind felt trapped behind a mist.