The moon was high, but Elena couldn't sleep. Her mind was far too restless.
She tossed on her bed, staring at the ceiling, hearing echoes of things she wished she could forget, Derrick's voice, the elders' whispers, the warning in Elijah's eyes.
After a while, she couldn't take it anymore.
Pulling a dark cloak over her nightdress, she slipped out of her room quietly and headed toward the old physician's chamber.
The halls were mostly quiet, except for the occasional flicker of torchlight and the soft rustle of guards changing posts.
When she got to the chamber, two guards stepped in her way, crossing their spears.
"Who are you, and who do you seek?" one of them asked with a firm, husky voice.
Elena didn't respond immediately. She simply pulled the veil off her face.
The guards' eyes widened. One of them quickly bowed his head. "Pardon my manners, ma'am. I didn't know it was you."
She gave a soft, calm smile. "I need to see the physician. I believe he's in."
