#Chapter 122: Strange Symbols

Nathan and I crouched on the marble floor of the council chamber, sheets of parchment spread between us. The chalk sigils looked faint under the lamplight, but when I pressed the paper over them and rubbed with charcoal, the shapes leapt out bold and black. A circle broken by hooked slashes. Angled lines that made my stomach twist the longer I stared. Nathan studied the rubbings with the concentration of a soldier scanning a battlefield. To me it felt like looking at a language that wasn’t meant for conscious eyes. An assistant, Mira, lingered near the doorway, her arms locked tight around her waist. When I caught her gaze she flinched, then said in a rush, “I’ve seen those before. Out by the service road. Carved into trees. I thought it was just old graffiti.” Nathan straightened, eyes sharp. “When?” “Last week. Early morning. I was on watch and spotted them on two birches by the bend.” Her voice dropped. “They looked newer than I wanted to admit.” I felt Richard behind me bef