The council room felt smaller with the full weight of the new message sitting in the center of it.
Asher stood at the head of the table and read Blackthorn’s reply aloud once for those who hadn’t seen it yet. The language was careful, almost courteous — and still managed to dismiss Silver Moon’s warning as overreaction while sliding in a pointed remark about “unresolved matters.” No one in the room missed the meaning.
Orrin was the first to speak. “They’re refusing responsibility while leaving the door open. Classic.”
Torren leaned forward, forearms on the table. “They’re also telling us they know more than they’re admitting. The line about unresolved matters isn’t subtle. They know about Luna. Or at least they know enough to use her as a pressure point.”
A few glances shifted in my di
