The council chamber was underground.
Beneath Veritas's oldest building, past wards that made Sasha's teeth ache, through doors that hadn't been opened in decades—that's where the factions met when the stakes were too high for the regular summit hall.
Sasha walked in with her head high and her heart pounding.
Her mother was beside her, weak but standing, supported by Daniel on one side and Maya on the other. Rhys walked at Sasha's other side, his presence solid and warm. Finn and Lena guarded the rear.
And at the front of the chamber, behind a massive stone table, sat the faction leaders.
Marcus Donovan. Alpha of the Northeast Pack. Rhys's father. His eyes were unreadable as they landed on his son.
Head vampire Mariel Devereaux. Luc's aunt. Ancient, beautiful, and cold as winter. She
