The sound of the great doors closing behind Alpha Rydan echoed through the palace hall like the end of a storm.
For a moment, the hall remained silent.
Then the world began moving again.
The guards tightened their grips on the chains that bound my wrists. The iron scraped against the stone as they pulled me to my feet. My body protested immediately. My wounds were still healing, and the sudden movement sent sharp bursts of pain through my ribs and shoulder.
I steadied myself.
I would not fall.
Not in front of Selene.
She was still standing where she had thrown the meat at my feet. I could feel her eyes following me as the guards dragged me toward the doors.
I did not look back.
But I could feel her smile.
Torin murmured something to Clay behind me, their voices low, calculating.
