Aariana knew something was wrong the moment she entered the council hall.
No one looked at her directly.
That was unusual.
Fear had a particular scent.
She had learned to recognize it during her years in exile.
People who feared her usually watched her too closely.
Today, the council members avoided her eyes entirely.
Aariana walked toward the center of the chamber, her boots striking against the stone floor.
Wren followed beside her.
He had been unusually quiet since breakfast.
That worried her more than his usual questions.
She glanced down.
“You're quiet.”
Wren shrugged.
“I found something yesterday.”
Aariana stopped.
“What did you find?”
He looked around the chamber.
Then toward the council table.
“Something about us.”
Her instincts sharpened.
“What kind of somethi
