Chapter 78

HAZEL

We walked in silence until we reached the door and it opened on its own, welcoming us in which was not a good sign. The Elder knew we were here.

Stepping inside was like seeing the inside of a castle tower two hundred years ago. There was no electricity. The walls were adorned with old-time paintings of men I recognized as previous holders of the title of Elder in the Council.

They were the wisest, most formidable men with singular access to archives storing information about Valeria and also about the humans. Things nobody else knew; those were the things they didn’t teach in schools.

“Gabriel Hayes,” he locked his hooded eyes on us as he stood by an encapsulated book stationed right below a window in the ceiling, “Hazel Grey,” he snarled.

“We have come for Darian,” Gabe informed without beating around the bush.

“I know, you have been expected,” the Elder shifted his eyes on me and his crusty lips pulled back over his teeth, “I’m glad to se