The moment Nina's Patron's voice echoed in the air, Elara's already haunted expression twisted into something worse—genuine horror.
She jerked back, eyes wide, as if she'd been slapped.
"No… No, it can't be you."
Her gaze scanned the space above Nina, frantically searching for something—or someone—that wasn't visible.
"You're still with her? What are you doing, Solarin? Is this all your doing?"
she asked, her voice trembling with disbelief.
There was no answer. Not from the sky. Not from the shadows. Not from the voice that had once reached Nina's ears with such clarity.
Nina frowned.
"What are you talking about?"
Elara didn't seem to hear her. Her focus remained locked on the empty air where she seemed to imagine her opponent stood.
"Why won't you answer me? You think silence will protect you from what's coming? It won't. He won't forgive this. None of them will. You're betraying him, Solarin!"
she snapped. Her voice rose, high and shrill with fury.
