Lyla stood at the head of the long oak table in the council chamber, her silver gaze burning beneath the dim flicker of torchlight.

The air was heavy with tension sharp and thin beneath the weight of too many unspoken threats.

Rowan sat at her left, his dark brow furrowed. Asha sat beside him, her dark gaze watchful beneath the flicker of firelight. Vaughn leaned back in his seat at the opposite side of the table, his mouth curled faintly into a thin smile.

Jonas stood near the doorway, ...