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His expression told me his conversation with Pryor hadn’t been ordinary.
“What did Pryor want?” I asked.
Caius was quiet for a moment.
“He told me Elder Evander requested access to Wraithbone’s royal archives before today’s
session.”
I looked at him.
“For what?”
“Every record connected to the Celestial.”
I frowned.
“He asked before the Council even questioned me?”
Caius nodded.
“According to Pryor, he wanted access before anyone had heard your testimony.”
“Did Pryor allow it?”
“No.”
I studied him.
“Do you think that’s why he came here?”
“I don’t know.”
His expression remained thoughtful.
“But I don’t believe the timing was a coincidence.”
I nodded once.
“There’s something else.”
His attention settled fully on me.
“What is it?”
“Elder Evander came here while you were with Pryor.”
His expression changed.
< Hidden motives
“He spoke to you alone?”
“The warrior stayed with us, but yes.”
“What did he ask?”
“He wanted to know if Vaela had ever spoken a name I didn’t recognize.”
His eyes narrowed.
“Those were his exact words?”
“Yes.”
“And you told him no?”
“I did.”
He was silent for a moment.
“That wasn’t a question the Council needed answered.”
“What do you mean?”
“He didn’t ask as a council member.”
He met my eyes.
“He asked because he wanted to know something no one else knew.”
I considered that.
“You think he already expected a certain answer?”
“I do.”
“Then why ask me at all?”
“To see if you confirmed what he already suspected.”
I nodded.
“But I didn’t.”
“No.”
His voice remained calm.
“Which means he left this room without what he came for.”
< Hidden motives
I folded my arms.
“What if he asks again?”
“Then you answer him the same way.”
“And if Vaela ever does speak a name I don’t know?”
He didn’t answer immediately.
“Then you tell me first.”
I looked at him.
“Not the Council?”
“Not until we understand what it means.”
I gave a small nod.
“Do you trust Elder Evander?”
Caius let out a quiet breath.
“I trust very few people with something this important.”
He glanced toward the window.
“After what Pryor told me and what you’ve shared, I’m not willing to ignore either of those
conversations.”
I understood.
He wasn’t ready to accuse Elder Evander of anything.
But he was no longer willing to dismiss what had happened.
I looked back out the window.
“So what do we do now?”
“We wait for the next Council session.”
“That’s all?”
“For now.”
Waiting wasn’t easy.
Hidden motives
Every answer uncovered another question.
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