Beverly's POV

The summons document felt like ice in my hands. The heavy paper, official seal, words that might as well have been a death sentence. I read it three times, hoping the meaning would change. It did not. Six days. I had six days before I had to face the Council alone.

The penthouse was dark when Bruce returned. I had not bothered turning on lights. What was the point? The darkness matched everything I felt inside.

"Beverly?" His voice came from the doorway. "Why are you sitting in ...