Thea POV
The hall was packed with silent witnesses.
I hovered somewhere above my own body — not with my eyes, but with that strange, detached awareness that had awakened when I pushed too far. My physical form lay limp and blood-soaked in strong arms. Pine and cold wind. Silas — no, Evan. His grip was iron-tight, shoulders trembling slightly as he held me against his chest.
The Grand Hall of the fortress stretched around us, with vaulted ceilings and ancient oil paintings of past kings staring down in judgment. Seven high-backed chairs sat on the raised dais. The Council.
Victor sat at the center, his golden eyes cold and unreadable.
To one side stood Carl, posture perfect, one gloved hand tapping slowly on the armrest. Kael leaned against a pillar in the distance, the red mark of my
