Elijah’s Pov
The war room smelled of sweat, candle wax, and the faint tingle of residual magic in the air. Henry stood by the table, tracing the lines of our escape route with a steady finger. Liam paced by the doorway, muscles coiled like a spring. I sat across from them, feeling the weight of every moment since Leila’s capture pressing on my shoulders.
We needed a way into Sebastian’s lair, and there was only one person who knew the hidden tunnels well enough to guide us: Flora. My heart tightened at the thought. After her betrayal, I didn’t want to see her face. But desperation has a way of softening even the hardest doubts.
I took a breath and stood, smoothing my robes. “I’ve spoken with Flora,” I began, keeping my voice even. Henry looked up, eyebrows raised. Liam’s pacing faltered
