The door to Thorne’s study slammed open with a force that rattled the wall sconces.
He was already standing behind his desk, as if he'd been expecting her.
Aria stalked in, her hands clenched, Kade and Talia just behind her.
“You knew,” she said, her voice flat, sharp with betrayal. “You knew about the summoning. About the third Moonborn. About all of it.”
Thorne didn’t flinch. “I did.”
The room fell into thick silence.
Kade took a step forward. “You lied to us. You used us.”
Thorne looked at his son, something unreadable flickering in his eyes. “I protected this Academy. The burden of truth doesn’t always come without sacrifice.”
Aria advanced, her voice rising. “You put Vale in charge of the eastern watch knowing she was part of this. She tried to bring the third Moonborn through
