Chapter 53: midnight of truths.

A grandfather clock chimed in the manor's lobby.

Two cups of tea sat in the middle of the table, steadily getting colder.

The Flame-blessed hearth kept the wintery chill from the room, despite the first flakes of snow descending upon the hills outside. But despite the fireplace, the mood in the room was frosty nonetheless.

Lynn Brightwell sat with one leg folded over the other, her arms crossed, drumming her fingers against her upper arm. She was unintentionally exuding some of the Flame's wrath, causing her orange-red hair to flush slightly crimson, and the pressure from her soul leaked out into the room. 

On the sofa opposite her, Tia Alessia—or, rather, Tia Blackbriar—sat with her hands in her lap, an irritatingly dumb smile on her face, as though she couldn't fathom why Lynn had summoned her to the manor's drawing room at such a late hour. But her eyes belied her true emotions—she was nervous, and ready to defend herself.