The voice from behind the inner seal hit Lyria hard.
Not because it was loud.
Because she knew it.
Her whole body went tight. The silver fur under her skin lifted like it had heard the voice before her mind did. Kael turned toward her instantly. His hand found her back. Not a push. Just there. Steady.
Mira looked between them and then at the iron door.
"That is not a fun voice," she said.
No one answered.
The keeper in the chains let out a slow breath and stared at the door like she wanted to warn them and didn't know how.
Selene had gone still.
Not calm. Still.
That was worse.
The voice came again, lower this time.
"Open it."
Lyria swallowed hard. "That's my father."
Kael's head snapped toward her. "Are you sure?"
She nodded once. "I know that voice."
Ronan muttered something that sounded a lot like a curse. Joss, standing near the wall, looked like he wanted to be anywhere else. Mira had her sword in her hand again without anyone seeing her draw it.
