104. Athena
The High Council building loomed ahead, a towering behemoth of white, stark against the azure sky. Ten stories of imposing authority, constructed from ancient stone that seemed to breathe history. Its vastness made me feel like a speck of dust.
At the front, a flagpole stood tall, the shifters’ flag fluttering lazily in the wind. The fabric twisted and curled, a constant reminder that this place was more than bricks and mortar. It was a symbol of law, of justice—or injustice, depending on what side one stood—for shifters like us.
My eyes roamed the building’s walls, every detail sharp and cold. I barely noticed the hand wrapped around mine until a soft voice cut through my tangled thoughts.
"Are you alright?"
I turned slowly, the weight of my fear pressing down on me, mak
