After another night's rest and Vella's clearance for one monitored conversion, Ferra checked both summoning circles, keeping an emergency cutoff within reach of the healer.
The grand hall's barred windows opened into an uninhabited inner garden, ensuring zero civilian pathways crossed beneath the impending ritual.
Folded linen coverings rested beyond both outer chalk circles, positioned so separate hands could reach them without crossing the lines.
Vella remained beside Hajin's right shoulder while Didi guarded the main entrance against inquisitive officials seeking an audience.
"Are you certain the palace foundation will not interfere with this dual extraction?" she asked, glancing back from the heavy doors.
"The resonance below has been restless ever since Veran fell, so we must be vigilant."
"Aria mapped the ward frequencies twice," Hajin replied, focusing his perception on the waiting soul selection interface.
