Morwenna's POV.
Whispers filled the halls freely
The Omega cots sat like gravestones—row after row of bodies too tired to dream, too afraid to speak. But I didn’t sleep.
I sat upright in bed, holding tightly the edge of my blanket, replaying every word Lira had said.
"They think you’re influencing him."
"They want answers."
"And soon, they would want blood."
I’d barely eaten all day.
My mouth still tasted of ash from the rumors that clung to me like a cloth.
Elda hadn’t spoken.
Sabine wouldn’t look at me.
Even Lira’s silence screamed judgment.
*************
At dawn, I was summoned.
No reason given.
No time to prepare.
The guards who arrived didn’t speak.
Their hands were stiff on my arms, but they weren’t cruel. Just… tense. Like they feared what touching me might cost.
