Chapter 60: Betrayal

Advance, and never halt, for advancing is perfection. Advance and do not fear the thorns in the path, for they draw only corrupt blood. - Kahlil Gibran

Soft voices murmur in the council chamber.

When I enter the room, Spence and Gaila glance up. They've changed their clothing. But like Vlad, they still have mud in their hair and on their faces.

Arlo approaches Vlad, carting him to the side. Doing a visual sweep of the room, my chest tightens, something's not right.

"Where's Enoch? Freya?" A sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach gnaws at me.

"That is what we are trying to determine." Lumen hovers over the table, studying a visual chart projected on the flat surface.

Vlad's voice increases in volume. Even under the thin layer of mud, the fine muscles on his face are visible. He clenches his jaws, grinding his teeth together. His body is erect and rigid.