Queen Sarai had never fully trusted Viren. Though he served as her and her husband’s most trusted advisor, his obsession with dark magic constantly gnawed at her. She always felt there was something he wasn’t revealing.

With King Harrow and Lord Viren away from the kingdom—tending to business with the Sunfire Elves at the bridge—they wouldn’t be back for several days. It was the perfect opportunity.

Sarai made her way down a hidden passage. Rock, stone, stone, rock, stone, she recited in her mind, her fingers deftly pressing the loose stones. The door to Viren’s dungeons slid open, and she allowed herself a small nod of satisfaction at how easily the sequence came back to her.

The scene before her was revolting, though entirely unsurprising. Shelves lined with grim tomes and ancient scrolls on dark magic, strange artifacts from Xadia, and grotesque jars containing the remains of various creatures filled the space. She was careful not to touch anything—both to avoid leaving traces of her presence and because the sight of it all turned her stomach. Rifling through a few of Viren’s notes, she found nothing unusual. No damning evidence. Sarai exhaled, frustrated.

“Maybe I’ve been overthinking this. I should leave.”

Leaning against a bookshelf, she paused, trying to make sense of her doubts. Without warning, the shelf shifted, sliding aside to reveal a hidden door. Sarai froze, her heart racing. The door led to what appeared to be a cell.

Steeling herself, she opened it and stepped inside.