"I'll keep this simple," he began, his voice deep enough to settle into the bones. "Recent events have shifted the balance in ways we cannot ignore. First—" his eyes locked on Hazel "—the Ferans have started targeting our world for a reason and the Peanu are involved again."
She froze, her lips parting slightly. I could see the subtle tremor in her fingers as she curled them into her lap. Locked away for who knows how long, she clearly hadn't been told a damn thing.
The emperor continued. "A Feran delegation will arrive soon, under the guise of diplomacy. In reality, they are here to weigh our defenses, judge our worth, and decide how we fit into their designs. The Peanu will no doubt be whispering into their ears when they arrive."
Her gaze darted between the Emperor, then to me and Steve. The name "Peanu" alone seemed enough to dredge something dark from her memory. I could almost feel the questions boiling up inside her, but she kept quiet.
