Kael didn't wait for the Council's reply. He turned, half-guiding, half-carrying Aria toward the doors.
"Alpha," Darn's voice rang out, brittle but sharp. "If you leave with her now, you defy a direct order of the Council."
"Good," Kael said without looking back.
Two guards stepped into their path. Kael didn't break stride, he shoved the first aside with his shoulder, and the second froze under the full weight of his glare. They didn't follow.
Aria could still feel the echoes of the cage in her body like the hum of an old wound that wouldn't fade. Her vision swam, but she managed to sign, They'll come after us.
"They can try," Kael muttered.
The corridors of the fortress blurred around them as Kael led her through back routes and narrow stairs, always one step ahead of the morning traffic of warriors and servants.
They emerged into a lower armory where the air smelled of oiled leather and cold steel. Kael tossed her a dark cloak.
"Put that on. Hood up."
