Lilith POV

The envelope from the Elder Council sits on Damien's desk like a poisonous thing.

I watch him read it for the third time, his jaw clenching tighter with each pass. The paper crumples in his fist.

"Separation," he spits. "They actually granted her separation."

I fold my hands in my lap, careful to keep my expression sympathetic. "It's temporary, isn't it? Just until the Council—"

"It's a precedent, Lilith!" He slams the paper down, ...