[FORSAKEN CIRCLE SAFE HOUSE — NIGHT]
Alex expected Emily to immediately explain why she had quit the Temple.
Instead, she simply stood in the doorway, backpack still on her shoulders, looking at him with a mix of determination and nervousness.
Raven broke the silence first, crossing her arms and studying Emily with narrowed eyes—those new emerald green eyes that glowed faintly even in the dim light.
"So," Raven said slowly, "let me see if I understand this correctly."
She circled around Emily slowly, inspecting her like a predator evaluating prey.
"The former academy classmate who didn't defend Alex when he was unjustly expelled... who stayed silent while the Temple labeled him a threat... who ignored him for months afterward..."
Raven stopped directly in front of Emily.
"...now wants to join his group of fugitive adventurers."
Emily flushed deeply but held Raven's gaze.
