Kaelan froze.
He stared at his father in disbelief.
Why?
Why had Helius suddenly become so protective of Zion?
Only yesterday, the General had been furious and had sworn to personally deal with Zion.
Yet after one night, his attitude had completely changed.
Kaelan could not understand it.
Neither could Jasmine.
Helius stood up without giving them an explanation.
His injured arm hung stiffly at his side as he strode from the room, his steps heavier than usual.
The events of the past two days had shattered much of the pride he had carried for decades.
And for the first time, General Helius understood that the person he had once considered insignificant was now someone he could no longer afford to touch.
***
The next morning, warm sunlight filled Zion's Manor.
Birdsong drifted through the apple trees, and the fragrance of fresh blossoms lingered in the air.
When Zion stepped out of his room, however, he immediately sensed that something was different.
