Vaelira stopped just short of the doorway to Kaiden's private wing.
For a moment, she simply stood there, chest rising and falling, mana rolling off her in heated waves that made the corridor lights flicker. The polished runes in the walls hummed in discomfort, reacting to the sheer agitation pouring out of her. Her fingers curled, nails biting into her palms as she stared at the door; it had personally offended her existence.
Then she snapped.
Her fist slammed into the reinforced panel with a thunderous bang.
"Kaiden Grey!" she barked, knocking again, harder this time, the sound echoing down the corridor. "Open the damn door! All of you, out here! Now!"
Another knock followed. Then another.
Violent. Impatient. Each impact rattled the wards woven into the frame, forcing them to flare and settle again. Vaelira paced a half-step, then struck the door once more, jaw clenched so tightly it looked like she might crack a tooth.
Seconds passed.
Then more.
Dozens of them.
