The door at the end of the council chamber slammed open, and a city clerk rushed into the room. Victory’s heart beat once in surprise, and her hand jerked toward the sword she did not wear at her side.
“Mr. Sethri!” The clerk who stayed late for council meetings halted when he realized he had the entire room’s attention. Then he scurried to Sethri to whisper in his ear.
A scream came from outside. Her name. Victory leapt to her feet, her hands gripping the table. No time to make excuses. She dashed for the door as Sethri spoke to the rest of the room. “A man just attacked Mikelos Connor outside our doors.”
Victory burst from the council building—Tristan, Max, and Lorus right behind her—to see a strange man kicking a prone figure at the bottom of the steps. She all but flew down the step
