|| Lilac’s POV ||

We sat down, and the conversation around the table was stilted, the tension palpable. I picked at my food, my appetite gone, as the others exchanged uneasy glances. Alaric tried to lighten the mood, asking Garry about the latest patrol reports, but even his efforts fell flat.

As we ate, Alaric suddenly stiffened, his eyes glazing over as he received a mindlink. He excused himself with a quick,

“I’ll be right back,” before striding out of the diner, ...