The silence that followed the mercenaries' departure was deafening. I stared at the broken window, glass crunching under my feet as I moved to peer out into the darkness. The forest beyond looked peaceful, but I knew better now. How many other eyes were watching from those shadows?
"Luna," Councilor Blackwood said, her voice gentler than before. "We need to talk."
I turned to face her, taking in the details I'd missed during the fight. She was probably in her fifties, with the kind of sharp beauty that came from power and confidence. Her silver-streaked hair was pulled back in a severe bun, and her ice-blue eyes held centuries of secrets.
"You're really my great-great-aunt?" I asked.
"Victoria Blackwood," she confirmed. "And yes, we share blood, though it's been diluted over the genera
