The head guardian's ear

The door to conference room 5 opened with a soft whoosh, granting the four access in a place they had no business. Wynona Hawthorne stood at the front of the room, giving what looked to be a presentation on increasing security measures. The woman caught the movement at the door immediately, her lips setting into a deep scowl.

Noting the soured look the head guardian wore, those gathered in attendance shifted in their seats to take a look at the ones who’d garnered her attention.

For her part, Hawthorne did little to hide her exasperation at their appearance. The woman sucked in a deep breath, willing herself to remain composed despite the sudden intrusion. “I assume this is of the gravest importance, Finley—so important that the safety of the realm with have to wait. So important, in fact, that you would throw protocol and decorum to the wind and simply let yourselves in.”

Demetrius flushed at the woman’s rebuke but his mot