Stone Doesn’t Lie
Dawn came like a slow, silver bleed over the walls.
The chapel wasn’t grand.
It wasn’t holy.
It was functional.
Old stone. Reinforced windows.
Discrete cameras in the corners.
A medical cart parked near the altar, loaded with gauze, saline, epinephrine — in case loyalty tried to kill someone who had been tested before Talia.
Well, that's unsettling, Kael murmured. Talia didn't respond, but agreed.
Talia walked beside Lucian with her shoulders set, chin high, every breath cold in her chest.
People watched.
Not the pack.
Not the public.
Only the ones who could damage her. The ones who meant her harm and wanted to see her fail.
Elders.
Security.
Neris, with her rolled sleeves and a box of sterile swabs.
Mira and Thomas sat in the back row, guarded.
Looking
