Chapter 48: Spies

The door to the darkened chamber creaked open, and the sound of hurried footsteps echoed through the stone walls. Elijah, seated in a large, weathered chair near the fire, lifted his head from the flickering flames just as the cloaked woman burst into the room. Her eyes, wild with urgency, gleamed from beneath the shadow of her hood.

"She's on Earth," the woman said, her voice breathless but tinged with satisfaction. "Esteria has been cast out."

Elijah straightened, his expression unreadable, though the gleam in his eyes betrayed his interest. He rose slowly, his tall frame imposing as he moved toward her. "Are you certain?" he asked, his voice low and measured.

"Yes," she replied, the excitement barely restrained. "The council deliberated for hours, but in the end, they expelled her. She's vulnerable now."

Elijah's lips curled into a dark smile, though it didn't reach his eyes. "Finally. Arthean will be pleased."