Who the hell is this?
The silence stretched, like the world itself dared not breathe.
Beside him, Elara froze in her seat, her sharp assassin's instincts kicking in. Years of honed reflexes guided her hand toward the hidden blade she always carried beneath her clothes. Her fingers brushed the hilt, ready to strike.
But then… she stopped.
Her narrowed eyes focused more clearly on the woman's silver hair and chilling gaze, realization crashing down on her like a tidal wave.
She immediately withdrew her hand, smoothing her composure and stepping away from her seat with silent grace.
Elara bent into a slight bow, her voice steady but tinged with an awkward politeness. "It's been a long time, Young Miss Kaelissa."
At the sound of her name, Kaelissa finally shifted her gaze from Elion to Elara.
