The lecture ended. Alaric gathered his materials and left, his mind still turning over the same useless questions.
He headed to the dining hall.
Not because he was particularly hungry, but because sitting alone somewhere with food gave him an excuse to think without looking conspicuous.
He claimed a table in a quieter corner of the Silver Crown section, away from the main clusters of conversation. Grabbed food mechanically, didn't really register what. Just fuel.
Sat down. Ate and thought.
Elena vanished. Henry vanished. Thomas vanished. Oliver vanished. All clean exits, no traces, nothing to follow. Four weeks of looking and I've found exactly nothing.
He tore a piece of bread, chewed and swallowed.
They're still watching. Have to be. But from where? How? Who else is involved that I haven't identified yet?
Another bite.
What's the endgame? What am I missing?
"Eating alone?"
The voice broke through his thoughts like cold water.
