The air in the cavernous entry hall grew thick, charged with an oppressive, suffocating weight that made it difficult to draw a full breath.
The dozen elite Council enforcers fanned out with chilling, clockwork precision, their weapons trained directly on Damien, Bella, Ethan, and the children. The red laser sights painted a web of crimson dots across the dark stone pillars and across Damien’s chest.
Noah buried his face into Bella’s side, his small shoulders trembling. Ava stood frozen, her young eyes fixed on the imposing figure of First Elder Vane with a sharp, intuitive defiance that mirrored her mother’s.
Bella instinctively stepped backward, shifting her body to completely shield the children, while her left hand hovered over the heavy, brass-bound master ledger tucked under her
