The air was thick with tension as the meeting convened in the heart of the tribe. A large circular chamber, lined with wooden beams and tapestries, had been prepared for the gathering. Torches flickered along the walls, casting long shadows over the faces of those seated at the central table. Vera stood just outside the entrance, her heart pounding as she glanced over at Max, who offered her a reassuring nod.
“Ready?” Max asked, his voice steady, though there was an undertone of unease that he couldn’t quite hide.
Vera swallowed hard, her hands trembling slightly. She could feel the weight of what was about to happen. This wasn’t just another discussion—it was a reckoning. Her and Max’s arrival had stirred fears within the tribe, a belief rooted in their ancient traditions that their mer
