#Chapter 125: Raymond's Disturbing Proposal

Three days dragged by after my presentation to the Alpha Council imploded. Kane’s absence stung, despite how much I tried to avoid thinking about him and focus on work. The conspiracy was growing stronger while I sat here completely alone. I hunched over Elsa's notes, trying to decode activation rituals for the crystal. Ancient symbols swam before my tired eyes. Each page felt heavier than the last, featuring warnings about magical backlash mixed with protective spells I barely understood. I nearly jumped when Raymond suddenly appeared in my doorway. He'd cleaned himself up since our last encounter. Fresh clothes. Groomed hair. The whole rational leader routine. But his eyes still burned with that crazed fevered intensity that made my skin crawl. Someone had coached him on presentation. Probably Giana herself. He looked like a politician preparing for cameras instead of the obsessive stalker he'd become. "Aurora," he said with fake warmth. "I hoped we could talk privately."