Zarek rose from his seat.
The movement alone changed the air in the room.
"I'm going to address the seers," he said.
Lily immediately bowed and moved to follow him.
Maelina also turned to leave behind them, but before she could take more than a step...
"Maelina."
Eliora's voice stopped her and all three of them paused.
Maelina turned back slowly.
"What's up?" she asked. "I have to go."
Eliora suddenly looked… uneasy.
The confidence she usually tried to carry around Zarek and the others was gone.
Her fingers twisted together nervously in front of her. For a second she looked like she might change her mind.
Then she forced the words out. "I just want to...talk with you."
Zarek's eyes shifted to her, giving her a look that clearly said he knew she was lying.
Eliora felt heat creep up her neck under that gaze, but he didn't call her out. Instead, he turned and walked toward the door with Lily following behind him.
The door closed behind them with a soft thud.
