Before I could question her further, the heavy double doors were pulled open by the flanking guards.
Inside, the vast stone room was bathed in morning light. Demetrius was standing near the dais, talking in low tones with Sam, who looked dusty from the road. Standing just a few paces behind Sam was a tall, broad-shouldered male stranger with dark, analytical eyes and short, neatly cropped hair. He was dressed in traveling leathers, a heavy satchel slung across his chest.
Hearing our footsteps, the group turned around.
Demetrius's face softened into a warm smile when his eyes met mine. He stepped forward, opening his hand to introduce everyone. "Rachel, you're just in time. Sam was just telling me—"
He froze. The words died in his throat as the stranger suddenly went entirely rigid.
Be
