Chapter 158

Viona's POV

I returned to my chamber with the stone clutched in my hand as though it were a living thing that might leap away if I loosened my grip.

I closed the door behind me and pressed my back against it, my chest rising and falling too fast. The fortress still buzzed with noise beyond the walls-shouted orders, clanging steel, footsteps echoing down the halls-but inside my room there was silence.

Too much silence.

I crossed the chamber and set the stone down on my desk. It ...