"Let them talk." Emmett's jaw set firm. "Better than letting them act."
Tristan nodded once, accepting the assignment even as he catalogued the dozen ways it could complicate things. He'd done harder jobs with worse parameters.
"One more thing," Miriam said, stepping forward slightly. "Be fair to her, Tristan. She's been through enough already."
"I'm always fair."
"You're always thorough," Miriam corrected. "There's a difference."
Tristan didn't argue. She wasn't wrong.
"Anything else?" Emmett asked the circle.
"Increase patrols around the lake," Bram said. "If something's testing our wards, we need to know immediately."
"Already done." Tristan pulled out a small notebook, flipping to a marked page. "I've got three teams rotating twelve-hour shifts. They’re coordinating on reinforcing the physical barriers."
"Good." Emmett looked around the circle one more time. "We meet again in three days unless something urgent comes up. Stay sharp. Stay fair. And for the love of everything sacred, don't let fear make us stupid."
The Council began to disperse, members drifting back toward town in pairs or alone. Tristan started to follow, but Emmett's voice stopped him.
"Ash. Hold up."
Tristan turned back. Emmett waited until the others were out of earshot before speaking again.
"I know this isn't your favorite kind of assignment."
"It's fine."
"It's not." Emmett's expression softened slightly. "But you're the best person for it. You don't jump to conclusions. You don't panic. And you don't let personal feelings get in the way of doing what's right."
Tristan stayed silent, unsure where this was going.
"Maren's a good person who's had a hard time of it," Emmett continued. "She doesn't trust easily. Probably won't trust you at all, at first. But if something's targeting her or using her magic as cover, she'll need someone who can see past the fear to the truth."
"I'll do my job."
"I know you will." Emmett clapped him on the shoulder once, solid and brief. "Just remember—sometimes doing the job right means protecting people from themselves. Townspeople included."
Tristan nodded, understanding the deeper warning. Don't let the mob happen. Don't let fear win.
"Kieran vouched for you when we brought you on," Emmett said. "Said you were solid. Reliable. Someone who'd do what needed doing even when it got ugly."
"He's generous with his praise."
"He's accurate with his assessments." Emmett's mouth quirked slightly. "Watch yourself out there. Winter makes things strange, and strange makes things dangerous."
"I've handled worse."
"I don't doubt it." Emmett turned toward town, pausing once to look back. "For what it's worth? I hope you're wrong about the danger."
"Me too."
Emmett disappeared into the trees, leaving Tristan alone in the clearing. Lanterns swayed overhead, casting shifting shadows across white ground. Wind picked up, carrying the scent of pine and cold stone.
Tristan pulled his coat tighter and headed for the southern path. He had surveillance routes to plan and a watch schedule to adjust. The practical work helped, gave him something concrete to focus on instead of the uncomfortable truth settling in his gut.
He'd been assigned to protect someone the whole town already saw as guilty.
