Chapter 252: Of Masks Torn Away, Shadows That Speak Truth, and Children Who Should Absolutely Not Be Here
Elyn's POV
I did not move.
I did not blink.
I simply stared at Aurelixa.
Or… at least, the person standing in Aurelixa's place. It was a stupid thought, but it almost felt like she was someone else.
But even at that, something was wrong.
I had felt it the moment I stepped out here. The unease. The slight misalignment in everything I was seeing. Like a puzzle where all the pieces fit—but the picture was still wrong.
My gaze shifted toward the gargoyle stationed near the wall.
Then back to Aurelixa.
Then back to the gargoyle again.
There it was.
That flicker.
That not-quite-still presence.
I tilted my head slightly.
"Aurelixa," I said calmly, my voice even, measured, "is there perhaps something behind that gargoyle?"
I was met with silence.
A pause that stretched just a second too long.
Aurelixa swallowed again, this time the sound audible.
