Judgment came, but the storm was far from over.

Katheris caught up with us before we'd made it halfway across the courtyard. The sun had set while we were trapped in that chamber, leaving only torchlight to see by.

"Miss Bennett. A word."

I stopped. Darius stayed at my side, tension radiating from him like heat. His wolf hadn't fully receded since the hearing. I could see gold flickering at the edges of his irises.

"The council's verdict stands," Katheris said without preamble. "But I ...