**Jake**

I stride down the hall, sweat trickling down my neck in beads, Nathan running at my heels. The morning had been quiet up until now. I was peacefully drinking my morning coffee when I received word that the Council wanted to meet.

When I enter the conference room, all Council members are seated at the rectangular table, faces turned toward me in anticipation. Azalea is the first to greet me.

“Good morning, nephew. We were wondering if you were ever going to ...