Within a black car dashing along the highway, seated inside, Cruxius scrolled through his phone. He wore a white shirt and pants that Darithi had brought earlier.
Beside him, dressed in borrowed clothes, lay Seleyena, clearly exhausted—her body limp, almost unconscious—sleeping with her head resting on his lap.
"Master, Thalia seems to have reached the mansion," Darithi informed him. Just moments ago, Cruxius had asked whether Thalia had reached the mansion or fled.
She had plenty of time and space on her way back from the hospital to disappear. But he wanted to test the impact of Seleyena's words on her. It appeared Thalia had chosen not to run, instead following the lingering effect of what Seleyena had said.
