Alaric's smile vanished instantly, his shoulders tensing as the heavy, protective aura returned to his frame.
He rose from the edge of the mattress, his blue eyes shifting toward the door with a cold, sharp focus.
Julian gently patted Lucius's back, letting the boy slide off his lap so he could stand up.
"Who is it?" Alaric called out, his deep voice carrying a rough, commanding edge that brooked no nonsense.
"Your Grace, it's Kaelen," a firm voice answered through the thick wood. "Pope Clement and the rest of the Elders are waiting in the Inner Sanctum's main hall. It's reported that the divine frequency that shook the sanctuary yesterday morning just flared up again, and the priests are practically scrambling outside the door. They believe that Master Julian has awakened."
