"You know the rules," he snapped. "No one enters the Veil without proper identification. And certainly not someone as…" He let the words hang in the air, his disgust clear. "Suspicious as this."
"Take her to a holding cell," the man commanded. His eyes flicked to Esme once more. "The healer can tend to her, but she's no different from the rest of them. I won't tolerate anyone hiding in the Veil without answers."
Lara felt her stomach drop. The sound of those words hit like a punch. She stepped forward again, more forcefully this time, standing between the guard and Esme, blocking the path.
"Listen to me," she begged.
"I don't need you to explain her to me, Lara. You've overstepped before. Don't do it again."
There was a cold finality in his voice that made the room feel even darker. A silence stretched between them, so thick it felt like it could choke them both. Lara clenched her fists at her sides, but her heart thundered in her chest.
