~~(Black)~~
I stood in the center of the Great Hall. The air was heavy with burning sage and cold stone. My father, the Grand Alpha, stood to my left.
And right across from us, the High Priest sat on his throne of twisted iron. He was the one who controlled the spirits. He was the one who could make me a King.
"The plan has changed," I said. My voice echoed against the high ceiling.
The High Priest looked up. His eyes were milky white, blind to the world but seeing everything else. "Changed? The ritual is set in stone, Black. What has happened?"
I hesitated, because how could I explain such recklessness to him? I looked at my father. He didn't blink. He knew why the plan was failing.
"The girl," I muttered. "The vessel. She is… no longer... available."
The High Priest leaned forward
