Chapter 8

Ronan's POV

By noon, the cut in my forearm had closed. The claw wounds beneath my collarbone had healed too, though the deepest still pulled when I lifted my arm.

Darius arrived with his staff and a request to examine her in the central chamber, away from witnesses.

I made him wait while Tamsin put the silver band from the archive on the hearing table. "A man wearing Concord equipment attacked her under my roof. Before you arrange another private room, explain that."

"Anyone could have obtained the band."

"Then you'll have no objection to answering questions about it in public."

He glanced at the guards beside the doors. "The test comes first."

Mara stepped up beside the table. "Then I want everyone who heard you promise