“Two years,” Vael stated in a low, controlled voice. “For two long years, you manipulated the strings. You dispatched vakhar to slaughter a young girl who had never caused you any harm. You turned her own sister against her. You murdered Maren on the hillside and slaughtered three of my fighters on the high cliffs, executing every single command from a sanctuary five hundred miles away because you lacked the courage to face your victims.”
Selene’s fingers clawed frantically at Vael’s forearm.
The constriction of the spell grew tighter, and Vael could feel its pressure, but she simply ignored it.
“You are facing them now,” Vael whispered.
She offered no grand pronouncements. She refused to prolong the moment, as Dravens never lingered over such tasks. She merely compressed her grip, kee
