Aurora POV

Tristan asked why Gray hadn't explained himself at the council meeting. Why had he inscribed those eight characters instead?

The hall went quiet. Everyone turned to look at Gray.

Gray's expression didn't change. He stepped forward slowly. His voice carried across the room.

"What crime is there in a traitor holding power?" Gray said calmly. "I inscribed those words because I intended to use your hand, Tristan. I needed you to root out all the corruption along the southern ...