Page 163 of Stormvein

Chapter Thirty-Five

SACHA

To flee is not cowardice. It is the strategy of the outnumbered.

Fragments of the Lost Veinwardens

We descendthe steps beneath my chambers, lightstones flickering against the walls. Shadows stretch ahead of me, matching each movement I make. The air grows cooler the farther we go, carrying that particular stillness found only in places built for isolation. At the bottom of the stairs, the passageway narrows. The lights from the stones dim slightly, casting everything in a washed-out amber.

There’s only one chamber down here, one room carved into the depths of Stonehaven for the purpose of holding prisoners too dangerous for the upper levels. Just one door, with four guards standing in front of it.

They stand to attention when I come into view.

“Open the door.”

They hesitate, exchanging uncertain looks. “Lord Torran, given her previous actions?—”

“She’s securely bound. And I’m fully recovered. She poses no threat.”

One of them steps forward to unlock the heavy door, and the hinges groan as it swings inward.

The chamber inside is stark. Bare walls, cold stone, and silence that clings to everything. Lisandra is standing in the center, hands bound before her, spine unbowed, composed as though she were the one who’d called for this meeting. There’s no uncertainty in her stance, no attempt to appear weaker than she is. Just that calm, sharp gaze that catalogs everything she sees, like she’s already anticipating our next move.

“You’re here for information.”

“Yes.”

“You heard him call me Elowen.” Ellie’s voice doesn’t betray the subtle tremor I can feel in her body.

Lisandra’s gaze moves to her. “I did. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Sereven look as shocked as he did in that moment.”

“Tell me exactly what you saw.”

“When he saw Ellie … when he realized who she was, he appeared physically shaken. As if he was seeing something he believed impossible. The crystal in his hand dimmed for a moment.”

That detail catches my attention immediately. “You think the crystal responded to his emotional state?”

“It seemed to.”

Interesting. Another piece of information about the weapon that nearly destroyed me. I file it away for later consideration. If the crystal responds to emotional states, particularly fear, that creates a potential vulnerability we might exploit.

“Did you notice anything else?”

Lisandra hesitates, her eyes focused on Ellie. “You didn’t hear him? As you retreated, he whispered‘The circle is complete. They’ve found each other.’”

Ellie gasps softly beside me, her hand reaching for mine. The brief contact sends a surge of silver-threaded energy acrossour connection. The phrasing suggests knowledge beyond Ellie’s identity, something about our connection specifically.

I extend my awareness through nearby shadows, feeling for any sign that Lisandra might be fabricating this detail. But her pulse remains steady, her eyes clear.

“How long have you known Sereven?” Ellie demands.

“Knownhim or given him information?”

“Aren’t they the same thing?”

One corner of her mouth tips up. “You already know how long I’ve been feeding him information. What you want to know is how well I know him. We’ve studied his tactics for years. He’s methodical, calculating, secretive, arrogant.” Her eyes shift back to me. “A little like someone else we know.”

I don’t respond. Ellie glances at me, frowning, then focuses back on Lisandra when I say nothing.