Nobody touched the book.
Not for a long time.
It sat in the center of the council table like a bomb waiting for someone to breathe too hard.
Outside, Black Hollow slept.
Inside, nobody felt remotely tired anymore.
The throne beneath Draven Ridge pulsed steadily.
Anxious.
Watching.
Waiting.
Midnight stared at the ancient cover.
One name.
One word.
One mistake.
And reality itself could unravel.
Lucien looked like he regretted learning how to read.
Honestly, fair.
Kael stood beside Midnight with his arms crossed, silver eyes fixed on the book as though it might try to bite someone.
Given recent events, that wasn't impossible.
Malakar paced.
The Hollow King sat unusually still.
The atmosphere felt heavy.
Then the throne pulsed.
Hard.
Midnight sucked in a breath.
Another
