Now I was beginning to understand that Malakar had never cared whether I sat beside Draven.
He only cared about what I could do for him.
I remained hidden near the corridor until I heard footsteps approaching, and I quickly moved farther into the shadows as several guards passed.
I had expected them to search for Lucien, but instead I heard one guard mention that he had already been taken to the council chamber.
Seraphina would see him and Draven would hear the truth.
I should have been relieved, but fear settled deeper into my chest because if Lucien exposed everything, Malakar would know I had failed him.
I turned toward the lower fortress.
Perhaps I could still destroy the crystal. Perhaps I could give it to Seraphina. Perhaps I could stop what was coming.
Yet before I could mak
