Kael lifted a hand, and one of his men seized Theron by the shoulder. The Alpha growled, but Kael didn't flinch.
Then Aelen's voice cut through the tension. "You don't understand… we were ordered not to interfere."
Kael's eyes darkened. "Ordered? By whom?"
Aelen hesitated. Kael caught the quick shake of Theron's head — a silent warning.
"By the Queen."
The words hit Kael like a blow. For a heartbeat, he didn't move. Then his face hardened, fury and disbelief twisting his features.
"The Queen?" he said quietly. "Our Queen ordered you to do what exactly?"
Aelen's jaw tightened. "She said we were to assist the demon woman. But I swear to you, we did nothing. All we did was keep her daughter here. But they already left."
Kael stepped closer, his aura flaring like heat against the walls. "You really expect me to believe that?"
No one answered.
