The letter arrived on a gray morning.
William found it tucked under his door—a single sheet of paper, folded once, sealed with the council's mark. He broke the wax and read.
William Draven,
The Core is in turmoil. Darian and his followers have not disbanded. They have simply gone underground. They are meeting in secret, planning something. We do not know what. But we know it will not be peaceful.
We need your help.
Greer, Voice of the Council
William read the words twice. Then he burned the letter in the hearth.
Elara stood in the doorway, her arms crossed. "What did they want?"
"To drag me back into a fight I don't want to have."
"But you're going anyway."
William looked at the ashes. At the remnants of the letter that had summoned him.
"I'm going to talk. Not fight."
"Same th
