Ronan

The Council Hall loomed ahead. I hadn’t even planned to show up until the next cycle. But then Lila called.

Frantic and urgent.

“Ronan, please. It’s urgent. They’re voting on it now. You have to be here.”

No specifics. Just her voice, panic rippling beneath each syllable. I didn’t question it.

Now, seated in the Council chamber, with twelve pairs of eyes flickering from ancient tomes to digital screens, I regretted ...