Third Person POV
The last of the council members filed out of the room, their robes brushing against stone, voices murmuring about the investigation into Daphne Brawn’s case. Some of the older men looked smug—like things were falling into place just as they wanted. The younger ones looked uneasy. Tired. A few cast glances at Elira as they passed.
She didn’t return them. Her eyes were locked on Evelyn.
Evelyn lingered at the far end of the chamber, gathering her notes with practiced calm, her posture as composed as ever. Elira approached slowly, waiting until the heavy oak doors closed behind the last councilman.
“They say Daphne’s arrived safely at Ember Forest,” Elira said lightly, too casually.
Evelyn looked up. “I heard.”
“And the investigation proceeds as expected,” Elira added.
