ZANE’S POV
The council chamber reeked of tension. It was thick, choking, almost suffocating. I stood at the head of the long table with my arms folded across my chest, listening to grown men and women spiral into chaos. Everyone spoke over each other, they were all trying to make sense of the recent attacks, of the sudden appearances of rogues in our lands, but none of them knew the truth behind it.
None of them knew about Nina.
And none of them would. Ever.
I slammed my hand to the table, letting a thud echo through the hall. It silenced them, at least for now. Their eyes darted to me with a mix of anticipation and dread.
But before I addressed the council, my thoughts drifted back to a few hours ago… back to Grant who I had given the permission to sit out this one. He deserved it.
