°•♡Chapter 66~ Vane's Knowledge

The steps down to the dungeon echoed louder than they should’ve. Each one snapped through the cold, dim corridor like a whip cracking against my spine. I shouldn’t have come alone. I told myself I didn’t owe Vane anything—yet here I was, walking toward the cell of a man who may have sold us all out.

When I reached the bars, he was already standing, hands folded behind him like this was just another council meeting and not the aftermath of betrayal. His silver hair caught the faint glow from the torchlight, his gaze steady as it pinned me to the stone floor.

“Aria,” he greeted, calm as ever. “Thank you for coming.”

“You asked for me,” I said, stopping a few feet from the bars. “Don’t thank me unless you’re ready to come clean.”

He tilted his head slightly. “You’ve grown steel in your voice. That’s new.”

I didn’t answer. I wasn’t here for flattery or small talk.

“You’re not denying it this time?” I asked.

“I am,” he said, his voice steady. “I’m innocent.”

I crossed my arms, masking the