The room they were led into was smaller than the council chamber, but it carried more weight. There were no observers, no layered conversations to soften what was about to be said. Just a table, a handful of seats, and the people who actually mattered.
Elena was already there.
Daniel stood beside her, his posture composed, his attention sharpening the moment Lyra and Kael stepped in. The door closed behind them with a quiet finality that made it clear this wasn’t just another discussion.
“You didn’t waste time,” Elena said.
Kael didn’t bother with pleasantries. “Neither did you.”
Lyra took in the room quickly before settling her focus on Elena. “You knew we’d push for this.”
Elena inclined her head slightly. “I knew you wouldn’t ignore what you heard.”
“Then let’s not pretend this i
