"Answer the question." Kael's voice was icy.
Not a request. A command from someone who'd ruled nations.
"D-Drake," the scout gasped. "My name is Drake."
"Why were you watching?"
"Orders."
"From?"
"High Priestess Seraphine."
"What orders specifically?"
Drake hesitated.
Kael's power increased.
The pressure in the room became almost visible—like the air itself was bowing under the weight of ancient authority.
Drake started hyperventilating. "Watch the vessel! Report on her activities! Count warriors! Note defenses! I'm just a scout, I'm nobody, please—"
"How many scouts total?"
"Thirty... no, forty now. More arrived yesterday."
Behind the glass, I tensed. Forty. Watching everything we did. Reporting back to Seraphine.
Garrett made a note on his pad. "We need to hunt them down
