A heavy silence filled the study.
The scent of old books and polished wood hung in the air, mingling with the faint smokiness of the fireplace, where embers glowed beneath the charred remains of burning logs. The dim lighting cast long shadows across the vast room, stretching over the mahogany desk where Elion sat, one hand resting against his temple as he stared down at the polished surface.
Kade stood near the bookshelf, his arms crossed, a calm look settling over his usually sharp features. His eyes flickered with a seriousness as he broke the silence.
"The situation is more dire than I expected," he said, his voice low.
Elion didn't respond immediately. His fingers tapped lightly against the wood, slow and rhythmic, the only sound in the room besides the occasional crackle from the fireplace. His gaze was distant, as if replaying something in his mind.
He thought back to the previous day.
