[Lavinia's POV—The Holy Temple—Continuation]
"So," I said slowly, my voice calm but sharp, "...you are telling me that you sensed something odd in the air?"
The High Priest furrowed his brows, his expression thoughtful, almost burdened.
"Yes," he replied. "Some days ago, one of our priests visited the capital city. When he returned, he reported something… unusual. A disturbance. A spell."
I narrowed my eyes slightly.
"A spell?"
"Yes," he continued quietly. "But that is what troubles us, Your Highness. Even though we are priests who possess healing magic—who can sense and recognize most magical traces—we could not identify it. It was there… and yet it was not."
Haldor and I exchanged a glance.
My fingers curled slightly at my side.
"I hope," I said softly, dangerously softly, "you are not lying to me, High Priest. You know very well… I do not tolerate lies."
The High Priest bowed his head at once.
