Thales left the council chamber with heavy steps. His breathing was a roar stuck in his throat. The cold night air was useless—his body was burning inside.

He crossed the narrow corridor, his cloak dragging on the floor. The torches flickered behind him. He wanted to scream, but only clenched his jaw until it hurt.

The images returned unbidden: Aurora. The girl who was supposed to be just a mission. Watched from the shadows, invisible to her. Tron's transparency device never ...