Ryder POV

The Council chamber was underground. Stone walls carved with ancient runes, torches providing the only light. Deliberately intimidating.

Jolie walked beside me, her chin up and shoulders back. She wore leather pants and one of my shirts, dark circles under her eyes but steady on her feet.

"Remember," I said quietly, my hand finding the small of her back. "You don't have to answer anything you don't want to."

"I know." She squeezed my hand, her grip firm despite everything.

The five ...