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Discomfort wriggled in my gut, and I resisted the urge to squirm. This couldn’t be happening. I wasn’t ready for the whole Isle to know yet. I was supposed to have days of training and preparation, then the coronation…

“Open the gate!” called the guard in front.

Metal groaned, the sound echoing around me as the gate slowly lifted.

I muttered my thanks before practically sprinting through, following the road leading up to the castle. I had to find the chiefs.

My steps were swift as I hurried through the outer bailey and into the courtyard, the journals still tucked under my arm. I was climbing the steps to the castle entrance when the doors were thrown open and I found myself face-to-face with Chief Gorem. He wore a black vest and trousers, along with the sacred beads around his neck. His eyes widened at the sight of me, his gaze roving over my form slowly.

“Captain,” he said coldly. “So kind of you to grace me with your presence.”

My insides chilled at the note of hostility in his tone. Gods’ breath, I was in so much trouble. “My lord,” I said, bowing deeply. “Is there somewhere we can speak in private?”

Chief Gorem blinked at me slowly before nodding once and turning back into the castle. I followed him down a corridor and up a set of stairs before we reached the study. Chief Gorem went inside, and I followed after, closing the doors behind us. The room was larger than my bedchamber, with flames crackling in the fireplace, two plush armchairs surrounding the hearth, and bookshelves lining each wall. Opposite the double doors were windows stretching from the floor to the ceiling. Moonlight illuminated the room, mingling with the soft amber glow from the fire.

“Make it quick, Captain,” Chief Gorem said, turning to face the window with his hands clasped behind his back.

I wet my lips, heart racing as I considered the best way to approach the situation. “First and foremost, I offer my sincerest apologies for my absence. I encountered a Rogue in the fae lands that had almost made it through the portal. In my efforts to contain him, I was wounded, and time got away from me. I am terribly sorry for neglecting my duties to you, to my people, and to the tribes. Please accept my apology and instruct me on the best way to rectify my wrongdoings.” I sank to one knee and bowed low, exposing the back of my neck.

Chief Gorem gave a long, slow exhale but said nothing. I remained bowed before him, refusing to move until he spoke.

At long last, he said impatiently, “Rise, Captain. That won’t be necessary.”

I stood and faced him, swallowing hard. He was watching me, his expression unreadable. For a brief moment, his gaze flicked to the journals wedged under my arm.

“You said a Rogue almost made it through the portal?” he asked.

“Yes. He was waiting for us as soon as we entered the fae lands.”

“We?” he repeated.

I cleared my throat. “Me… and the witch, Cerise. We were working together to uncover her grandmother’s crimes against the Mages.”

Chief Gorem’s eyes flashed, and his lips grew thin. “You were working with the witch? I thought she was your prisoner.”

“The Oracle claimed she was innocent. I could not have investigated her grandmother effectively without Cerise’s connections.”

“I see.” He fingered one of the beads on his necklace. “And what did you uncover about the grandmother?”

A lump formed in my throat. Gods, where did I begin? I shifted my arm slightly, wondering if I should just hand the journals to him.

But no, they needed to be presented to all four chiefs. Whatever information was in these books applied to all Mages, not just Wolven Mages.

“She was experimenting on Rogues,” I said quickly. “But I’d prefer to debrief the full council of chiefs about this, if possible. It’s… well, the information I learned about her involvement was quite unsettling.”

Chief Gorem’s brows drew together, and his nostrils flared. “She was experimenting on Rogues? Gods’ breath, that’s absolutely horrifying.” He shook his head, his eyes closing for a brief moment. “And you’re absolutely certain this younger witch was not involved?”

“Yes. I’m sure of it.” The hole in my chest deepened as I recalled the look of horror and despair on Cerise’s face.

The truth about Elvira had torn her apart.

“I’m assuming that’s related to the investigation?” Chief Gorem gestured to the books under my arm.

I clutched the journals more tightly, pressing them into my side. “Yes. I’d like to go over them in depth during the debriefing.”

This was not something to be addressed here in the study between just Chief Gorem and myself. This needed to be handled delicately and appropriately. Each tribe would have to be involved. And our team of medics and researchers should be included as well.

After the mistakes I’d already made, I needed to ensure a sensitive situation like this was handled properly. I couldn’t afford another slip-up.