In the Moondance Packhouse conference room, a heavy silence hung in the air, broken only by the occasional shift of a chair or a quiet, expectant clearing of throats. Council members’ eyes darted across the table, reflecting a mix of apprehension and eagerness. Each face around the table painted a unique picture: brows furrowed in worry, lips set in thin lines of determination, eyes glinting with an unspoken resolve.
At the head of the table, Gabriel and Lila sat with Melody sleeping in Lila’s arms. Gabriel shifted in his chair, then cleared his throat, drawing the room’s attention. “Let’s talk about our run-in with Zoltan and Dimitri,” he said, voice firm. “Solstace, Crimson, can you recount what transpired?”
Solstace sat quietly. His broad shoulders relaxed but ready, and his eyes, sha
