Then Rhydric. "And you," Theo said, shaking his head, "you say nothing and expect silence to fix what you broke."
Theo spread his hands, voice cracking despite himself. "Why should I always be the one holding this friendship together when things get messy? When things hurt? When someone's missing?"
The room went dead quiet.
"I didn't ask to be the peacekeeper," Theo said more softly now. "But I'm the only one here actually thinking about Athena instead of your pride."
He exhaled, shoulders sagging. "So if any of you have something useful, something real to say about where she could be… say it."
No one spoke..And that hurt more than the yelling ever had.
Theo shook his head. "You know what?" he said, stepping back. "I'm done here."
He looked around the room, eyes blazing. "I'll look for Athena by myself. Clearly, I'm the only one who remembers what actually matters."
He turned on his heel and started for the door.
"Wait." Rhydric's voice cut through the room.
