AISLYNI wait till the next night before seeking him out.

Not because I need time to gather courage, but because I want to see what time does to him. Grief reshapes some men. Power hardens others. Rage either burns itself out or settles into something colder, more enduring. Elliot has always believed himself disciplined enough to choose which one he becomes.

I want to know if he’s right.

The den resumes its rhythm quickly after the burial. Patrols rotate. Councils reconvene. Decisions are made ...