~ Nora POV ~
"Drink it, Nora," Camille said, holding out a tall glass of sparkling amber wine with a sweet, fake smile.
Every elder sitting around the council floor watched us. Marcus stood two paces behind me, his shoulder wrapped in clean white bandages, his dark eyes fixed on my face.
"A peace toast to welcome our new strategic commander," Camille continued, her voice ringing clearly across the chamber. "Let us put the unpleasantness of yesterday behind us."
I looked down at the liquid. A faint purple haze shimmered beneath the surface, hidden from everyone else in the room. To my void core, it glowed like a signal fire. It was dark-briar toxin, a rare poison that shut down a wolf's heart in less than thirty seconds.
"Camille, what is this?" Marcus growled, stepping forward with a
