Page 169 of Zenith Tower

Cosima cut through the wax.

A block of signatures covered the bottom of the decree. Caspian leaned over her shoulder and read each name before she began.

“Emergency authorization,” he said. “They did not wait for the full Council.”

“Is it enough?” I asked.

“Enough to deploy enforcement before another seat can force a review.”

Magnus had sent the filing to two seats. I wondered whether either signature belonged to them. Caspian’s face told me it did not.

Cosima read aloud.

By emergency decree of the Council: The events at Zenith Tower confirm a prohibited capability under Article Seven. Astra Verita has demonstrated the capacity to alter Marks outside her established bonds. This capacity constitutes an immediate threat to the integrity of the Oracle system and to public order.

Astra Verita and those responsible for her removal from lawful containment are designated active threats. All Council enforcement, Hall wardens, and appointed local authorities are ordered to locate and detain them. Where secure containment cannot be achieved, force sufficient to prevent further alteration is authorized.

This decree supersedes ordinary review protections until the threat is contained.

Cosima stopped. The page remained between her hands.

The kitchen fire shifted behind its grate. A piece of wood broke apart, sending sparks against the iron screen.

“Force sufficient,” Kieran said. “They found a graceful way to write it.”

Caspian took the decree and read the certification beneath the signatures. His finger stopped at a line near the bottom.

“The evidentiary basis is Walkin’s emergency report.”

Delphine came around the table. “Does it mention my statement?”

He read farther. “It calls you a resident removed during an armed breach.”

“My Mark? My consent?”

“Nothing.”

Delphine reached into her coat and laid the original hearing pages beside the decree. Her name appeared on the first sheet. Kieran’s refusal covered part of the second. The administrator’s objections and Walkin’s order filled the third.

“They had this when they wrote it,” she said.

“That is why they moved quickly,” Caspian said. “They wanted this issued before another Council seat could act on the filing.”

Rev returned from the yard. “The road is clear for now.”

Cosima looked toward the rider. “What version are the criers giving?”

He set down his cup. “That armed residents attacked Tower staff during lawful review. That Astra altered Kieran and Delphine against Council orders, then abducted Delphine from Tower custody. They are naming her as vulnerable and possibly compromised.”

“What about the administrator? Marrow?” I asked.

“Nothing. The Tower road closed the morning after the breach. No staff have come out.”

Delphine’s repaired hand flattened over her statement.

“They have made me disappear without putting me back in the room.”

“Not this time,” Rev said.