As everyone rose, Eirene leaned back in her seat, smiling. A small, smug smile said she had achieved exactly what she wanted. Aveloria caught it as she turned to leave. Their eyes met briefly, and Aveloria's jaw clenched. She didn't speak, but her thoughts were clear, and whatever web Eirene was spinning would burn soon.
After the council meeting ended, Aveloria stood by her window that night, watching the guards change shifts below. She was still wearing her formal gown from the meeting, and her hair was loosened now.
The crimson moon from the night before was gone, but its presence lingered in her mind. She couldn't sleep. The thought of mutilated bodies and burned sigils haunted her. She needed to see it for herself.
A knock came at her door.
"Come in,"
It was Galen. He entered quietly, closing the door behind him. "You're not going to wait till morning, are you?"
"No. If the Wanderers are testing us, I want to know how close they've come." She said.
