"So, as you can see, this changes nothing," Undill said quickly, struggling to regain control of the conversation. "Let us forswear this surrender and prepare ourselves to slay the demons."
"I concur. There can be nothing productive to come from speaking with these deceivers anymore. If you permit me, I'd like to take them into church custody. We'd like to ask them about the nature of their plans for this empire and how they intended to betray you."
I froze, my tail stiffening. I shot a wide-eyed look at Elise, my heart accelerating painfully. I wouldn't let them take us, even if it meant retreating to Haven. I would never allow the church to take me again.
To my surprise, Elise didn't seem fazed.
"You'd like to end this now, wouldn't you, Father," she said, smiling faintly. It was an expression I'd never seen her wear, a sort of sly, confident look, like how Jessia looked whenever she teased me.
