章 149: Light into Darkness

Mira ate in silence, the only sound in the room being the soft clinking of cutlery against the plates. The atmosphere was tense, almost fragile, as though a single word could shatter the delicate quiet. Everyone seemed absorbed in their own thoughts, the weight of unspoken words heavy between them. Only the occasional glance toward one another broke the stillness, and the tension was thick enough to feel like a tangible presence in the room.

Zander, ever the one to break silence when it became too unbearable, finally spoke up. His voice was calm, but there was an edge of something else in it. "I see there's a new face here," he said, his eyes shifting to Little Zami who was quietly nibbling at her food, oblivious to the conversation.