CHAPTER 11: The Council’s Verdict
“Eliza.”
The voice came deep and calm but it carried the kind of quiet danger that made the air freeze.
Her body stiffened and her fingers twitched slightly at her sides. She didn’t need to turn to know who stood behind her. She knew that voice.. every sharp edge and every quiet authority laced into it.
Slowly, she turned, forcing a soft smile onto her lips.
“Caelen,” she greeted with her tone as sweet as honey. “You scared me.”
He stepped closer with her eyes narrowing just slightly.
“You didn’t answer my question,” he said, voice low but steady. “Where are you coming from?”
Her laugh was light and practiced.
“I couldn’t sleep,” she said, brushing imaginary dust from her cloak. “I went out for a walk. Needed to stretch my legs. The air inside
