There’s no logical reason for the satisfaction I feel in seeing that on her face. No strategy that explains why the faint softening of her shoulders matters to me, but it does, and that truth coils tightly in my chest like a fist.
She walks forward slowly, her movements measured as if unsure whether the seat will vanish beneath her when she reaches it. The coat she wears flutters around her, too large for her frame and covered in ash, yet she carries herself with a steadiness that’s hard to look away from.
When she lowers herself into the seat beside me, the room stretches taut again, filled with all the words the council dare not speak aloud now. Only when she’s seated do I notice a faint shiver running through her body. Goosebumps line her exposed legs, betraying how cold she is.
I take a deep breath in through the tension andcatch the faintest trace of her scent. It’s earthy and cool, something like rain dampening the ground and the breeze that follows. It’s not perfume, blood, or magic.
Justher.
It grounds something in me I hadn’t realized felt adrift.
I don’t look at her again, swallowing hard and directing my gaze to the attendant instead. I lift two fingers in a subtle motion for him to approach as I retake my seat.
He pads over with lowered eyes, posture obedient. I lean slightly, just enough to murmur near his ear, too low for the council to overhear.
“Prepare a room in my wing. I want it cleaned, stocked, and warmed before the hour’s end.” I pause, then add, “Summon one of my bloodline–my sister, if she’s returned from the fae lands. Have her appoint a lady she trusts to serve. We need clothing stocked, but make it modest. Have a hot bath drawn. It should be a quiet service with no questions.”
The attendant swallows and nods once before backing away and disappearing into his own shadows.
No one addresses the exchange, but I know they noticed. Surely within minutes of our session ending, this will spread like wildfire.
I lean back in my chair, spine straight,expression unreadable, and finally allow myself one last glance toward the woman at my side before I start this meeting.
She stares forward now, eyes on the council members, with her shoulders drawn back. Despite the bruises and cuts, the grime on her skin, and the dirty coat she’s huddled in, she looks like she belongs. Or at least…like she refuses not to any longer.
For reasons I still don’t understand, this settles the part of me that didn’t want her to feel ostracized.
I let the room breathe in silence before I speak, anchoring their attention in the quiet weight of expectation.
When I do speak, my voice is level, measured not in volume but in certainty.
“As we know, humans have broken the treaty our ancestors brokered in good-faith a thousand years ago. Around the world, the magical factions have given up parts of their lands–allowing the humans to create their own civilizations.”
A ripple moves through the chamber.
They know this, but I’m using it as an opportunity to educate Wren on what has happened. I want to see where her loyalty lies when she has the full truth.
“Since then, we have upheld the treaty that kept our worlds separate enough to coexist and thrive.” I pause to glance out of the corner of my eye and find her focus fully on me now. “Theywere given safety. Independence to govern themselves. They have suddenly forgotten who gave them all of that. Still yet, they chose to come to our lands to strike with their rebellions around the world, as if we didn’t give them enough.”
I let the words sharpen now, their harsh edges intentional as my heart rate quickens in my anger.
“The rebel human forces in America are being watched by all throughout the world. First, they succeeded in overthrowing their own government that sought to hold true to the treaty. Now, the world is watching to see if they can be victorious in a fight against the magical factions.”
Shadows swirl behind me, slow and heavy.
“Mark my words–any victory by these humans will spark a full world war on every continent. They are just the beginning. For too long, the magical factions have given them far more than they deserve. That ends now.”
Silence reigns.
I glance across the table to meet every set of eyes, each of them still as stone.
“This wasn’t just a battle today,” I state, “it was a line drawn in blood, and they were the ones who drew it. The world will not survive this war unchanged, and that is the point. Only one side will stand when it ends.”
All heads are nodding in agreement by the time I finish, and a heady rush of energy fills the room.
I let the finality ring in my words before moving into a debriefing from today.
“Their first offensive strike on us collapsed on itself before it could begin. Our covert op was able to locate and track their movements the moment they set foot on our lands. With the brute strength of the shifters and the magical offensive from the fae, we decimated their forces. The vampires cleared out the cowards who ran from the field.”
