The first horn at the gate was bad.
The second one was worse.
By the third, everybody in the hall was moving.
Kael did not waste time asking questions. He was already gone, boots hitting stone, shoulders hard, face locked down like he had been waiting for this. Lyria ran after him before anyone could stop her. Mira was right behind. Ronan pushed off the wall and followed too, slower but still moving.
The lower hall exploded into noise.
Guards shouted. Someone yelled that Council riders were at the front gate. Another voice shouted that they had papers. Another said they had a warrant.
A warrant.
Of course they did.
Lyria's stomach dropped when she heard that word. It meant they had come prepared. It meant this was not a random show up. This was planned. Somebody had decided tonight was the night to pull the leash.
