Sebastian materialized in the corridor without warning.
One moment, the space before Miles was empty. The next, the air warped, folded inward like reality taking a sharp breath and Sebastian stood there as if he had always been.
Miles halted mid-step.
For half a heartbeat, relief surged through him so violently it almost hurt.
Then anger followed.
"You—" Miles began.
Sebastian brushed past him.
No greeting. No explanation. Not even a glance.
His cloak shifted with his movement, dark fabric whispering against stone as he walked toward the council chambers with unhurried precision. There was no blood on him. No visible wounds. Not even dust on his boots.
Which, somehow, made it worse.
Miles stared after him, jaw clenched. "So that's how it is," he muttered, then turned and followed.
The council chamber was already full.
