Wisdom does not always follow the whitening of a beard.
Even as the elders’ hair turned to frost, they could not hide the raw terror etched into their faces as they watched the thorns. The dark green vines, covered in jagged, obsidian-like spikes, slithered across the oak table and licked the walls like living predators. The elders’ ragged breathing filled the silence, betraying the fear they tried so hard to mask.
They were forced to realize one thing: Selena’s mastery over her gift had surpassed anything they remembered from six months ago.
The scales of power in the room tipped violently once more. In the face of such absolute, visceral strength, did her lack of sight even matter?
But for those who had already crossed her, it was too late to recalculate. They knew the depth of the t
