Seraphine held Kael's gaze for a long, silent moment.
Then, with a flick of her hand, the surrounding mages melted back into the shadows—silent as ghosts.
"You actually managed to decode it,"she said at last, her voice laced with reluctant admiration.
"I suppose that deserves some praise."
Kael leaned back with a smirk.
"Of course I did.
You've no idea how many nights I've lost staring at that thing."
Floating above, Yue crossed her arms and muttered darkly:
"Liar. I cracked it in seconds and he begged for help."
Kael ignored her, radiating smug satisfaction.
Seraphine arched a brow.
"So tell me then—what did you find?"
Kael tapped the map with a knuckle, smile still playing on his lips.
"Why don't you start by telling me where the other half is?"
Her expression tightened.
For a second, the mask slipped—replaced by something sharper.
Personal.
"Kaelion," she said, voice low, no longer playful,
"This isn't the time for games. Just answer the question."
