I sat in a corner of the guest room, watching as Theronius arranged two comfortable chairs facing each other. His movements were precise, almost ceremonial in their care. The tall, silver-haired mind healer had an austere presence that filled the room, making the space feel smaller than it was.
Lyra perched nervously on the edge of the bed, her fingers twisting together in her lap. My sister looked exhausted, with dark circles under her eyes and tension written into every line of her body.
"Are you sure you're okay with this?" I asked her softly.
She gave me a tight smile. "For Rhys? Absolutely." Her voice dropped lower. "Though I'd feel better if there weren't so many people watching."
I understood her discomfort. Though the room contained only Lyra, Theronius, Ronan, and me, I knew Kaelen and two investigators were listening remotely through the communication devices Theronius had reluctantly allowed.
"I can ask everyone else to leave," I offered.
