Her eyes lingered on them both, tired yet sharp, before she turned and left the chamber, the high mages trailing silently behind her.
The doors shut with a heavy thud, leaving Alaric and Theo in a tense stillness.
Theo dragged a hand down his face, his jaw still locked with anger. "I don't like this, Alaric."
"I don't either," Alaric admitted, easing back into the couch. His body still throbbed with dull pain, but his mind churned faster than ever. "But whether we like it or not, the defectors are real. Alpha Lucas is real. And Damon…" He trailed off, his thoughts clouding. "Damon will need to know."
Theo clenched his jaw so hard the muscle jumped. He raked a hand through his hair, muttering under his breath. "Who knows, this might just be another strategy to make us lower our guards. The same people who attacked us ferociously moments ago want to be allies. Doesn't that sound too good to be true?"
