[FORSAKEN CIRCLE SAFE HOUSE — NIGHT]
Alex expected Emily to explain why she had quit the Temple as soon as she entered the room.
Instead, she stood in the doorway with her backpack still on her shoulders, looking at him with a mixture of determination and nervousness.
Raven broke the silence first. She crossed her arms and studied Emily with narrowed, emerald-green eyes.
"So, let me see if I understand this correctly." She walked slowly around Emily, inspecting her. "The former academy classmate who didn't defend Alex when he was expelled. The healer who stayed silent while the Temple labeled him a threat. And now you want to join a group of fugitives?"
Emily flushed, but held Raven's gaze. "I know I made a mistake. I was a coward when I should have been brave. I can't change what I did then, but I can try to make it right now."
