The Council's Summons
537 Words
"You can't go," Damian said, his voice sharp. "It's a trap."
"Your father wants me dead. I know." I folded the letter and tucked it into my pocket. "But if I don't go, he'll kill everyone in the pack. Including my mother."
"She's your mother? I thought she died when you were young."
"That's what your father wanted everyone to believe. He killed my mother because she was the Luna Chosen. And he's been hiding the truth ever since."
Damian's face went pale. "Elara, I didn't know."
"Of course you didn't. Your father is a master of secrets. Just like you."
The words hit their mark. He flinched.
"I'm coming with you."
"No."
"I don't care what you say. I'm coming."
I looked at him4really looked at him for the first time since the rejection. His eyes were tired. His jaw was clenched with determination. He looked like a man who had made the biggest mistake of his life and would do anything to fix it.
"Fine. But stay out of my way."
---
The Council's hall was a massive stone building in neutral territory. As we approached, I felt the weight of a hundred eyes watching us.
"They're expecting us," Damian murmured.
"Good. Let's not disappoint them."
The doors opened, revealing a long aisle lined with Council members in dark robes. At the end sat a man with Damian's eyes and harder features.
Marcus Blackwood.
"Elara Moonstone." His voice echoed through the hall. "You stand accused of wielding forbidden power. How do you plead?"
"Not guilty."
A murmur rippled through the crowd.
"The evidence says otherwise." Marcus stood, walking toward me. "I have witnesses who saw you use the silver fire. That power was banned a thousand years ago."
"It was banned because it threatened the Council's control."
Gasps. Marcus's eyes narrowed.
"You killed my mother because she was the Luna Chosen. You've been hunting me because you're afraid of what I can become."
"You have no proof."
"Actually, I do."
I held up my mother's journal. "She documented everything. Your betrayal. Your lies. The way you manipulated the Council to maintain your power."
Marcus's face twisted with rage. "Seize her!"
Guards rushed toward me. I raised my hand, silver light blazing.
"Touch me, and I will burn this entire building to the ground."
The guards hesitated.
"You're outnumbered," Marcus snarled.
"I've been outnumbered my whole life. It hasn't stopped me yet."
Behind me, Damian stepped forward. "Father, stand down."
"Traitor," Marcus spat.
"No. Just someone who finally sees the truth."
Marcus laughed coldly. "You think this changes anything? I am the head of the Council. I make the rules."
"Then maybe it's time for new leadership."
A flash of silver light exploded from my chest, sending Marcus crashing against the wall. The Council members rose to their feet, shouting.
"I challenge you, Marcus Blackwood, for control of the Council. Trial by combat. At dawn."
Silence fell like a guillotine.
Marcus wiped blood from his lip, a cruel smile spreading across his face. "Accepted."
**Hook: Elara challenges Marcus to a trial by combat for control of the Council. But Marcus is the most feared hunter in history. Can she defeat the man who killed her mother?**
- Writer
