Something specific tugged at the back of her ancient thoughts.
A name.
She clicked her tongue against her teeth, the tiny wet sound echoing in the profound silence.
"Wait," she breathed out.
High from the darkened rafters above, a shape dropped—a rapid flutter of leathery wings slicing through the stagnant air.
The small creature landed with surprising elegance upon the obsidian frame of her full-length mirror. Its crimson eyes glowed in the dark, wings twitching as it folded them tight.
The bat bowed its furry head in utter submission.
"You called, my Queen?"
She tilted her head just a fraction, allowing a single strand of silver to fall across her high cheekbone.
"What was his name?" she asked, her smooth voice acting as a quiet, prodding dagger. "The human who killed the newborn."
The bat looked up, exposing its sharp teeth in a reverent grimace. "Cruxius Blac. The new flagbearer chosen by the Order."
Total silence filled the chamber.
