Treyan heard the rest of the testimony from the accounts of what happened in the village, and the meeting lasted for the remainder of the afternoon and into the early evening. Alex remained for all of it. She listened to every story, pictured every detail. Her nails had punctured the skin of her palms by the time the gathering ended, and her rage was surging through her like an untethered beast. Jamison had excused himself early on, insisting he return to Mallia, and would report first thing in the morning to assist with preparations for their next steps. In truth, Alex didn’t blame him; the only difference between their village and the one that was attacked was the proximity to the palace. Knowing that his wife and newborn son remained there without him, after hearing what had happene

