Lila stared at the five elders standing before her. She could see the doubt in their eyes—the hesitation, the quiet defiance still burning inside them.She knew she couldn’t force them with threats. Not yet.

So instead, she smiled sweetly—that same unsettling, elegant smile that never reached her eyes.

“Come,” she said softly. “Let us talk… properly. I value bold minds.”

The five elders exchanged glances. They didn’t trust her, not for a second—but refusing her now could be ...