Page 119 of Zenith Tower

“It is meant to be.”

My father’s attention remained on the black seal. “My filing prompted this.”

“Your filing required a written answer,” she said. “Marrow’s emergency report determined what that answer would be.”

“The rescue,” I said.

“The rescue. Kieran Marsh’s restored Mark. Hale’s completed bond.” Her eyes went to my wrist. “Three completed bonds place Astra Verita beyond the threshold described in the Council’s oldest Untethered records. They believe she can now alter the Mark of anyone she touches.”

We had not tested her reach beyond the completed bonds. The files we had found and Marrow’s own warning agreed on what three completed lines meant.

My father turned toward me.

“That does not make her theirs,” I said.

“Walkin will not begin with that distinction,” the administrator replied. “They will treat the four of you as a single mechanism. If Astra will not cooperate, they will use the completed bonds to find pressure she cannot ignore.”

Kieran, still weak enough to need the healer in the corridor. Hale, his arm bandaged from the rescue. Me.

Each of us offered Walkin a different way to hurt her.

“How long?” I asked.

“The east rooms are already being prepared. Plan for less than a week.”

“Why are you telling us?” my father asked.

The administrator glanced at the steward in the doorway.

“Because the order permits notification,” she said.

It was the only answer she could safely give with a witness present.

She reclaimed the notice, but my father put two fingers over one corner.

“I want a copy.”

“File the request.”

“I already have.”

The administrator looked at him sharply.

My father released the page. She took it and left with the steward behind her.

Their footsteps faded toward the junction.

“I made it worse,” he said.

“No. They were preparing the east rooms before you crossed the bridge. Your filing forced them to put Walkin’s authority on the record.”

“It may also have shortened the time.”

“Then use the time.” I pushed the copied responses back across the table. “Keep filing. Send every answer to the other seats. Ask why Walkin needs severance authority before they’ve even arrived.”

My father returned the responses to the case but left the consultation packet on the table.

“And the hearing?”