I stand, smoothing down the simple tunic. Lord Castor and Zevran exchange glances.
“I’m coming with you,” Zevran says immediately.
“And me,” Lord Castor adds. “Jupiter pledged protection. That doesn’t end just because the Cardinals snap their fingers.”
I look at the three of them – bloodied, exhausted, still ready to fight for me. Something warm and painful lodges in my chest.
“Thank you,” I say, knowing it’s inadequate but meaning it anyway.
The High Council Chamber lies on the other side of the arena.
Red beacons line the corridors, casting everything in an angry, pulsing glow. Guards stand posted every twenty feet, faces hidden behind visored helmets. The usual bustle of the Conclave – servants hurrying between wings, delegates gathering for conversations – has been replaced by an eerie stillness.
The hall itself is vast and cold, carved from pale stone that amplifies every sound. Three Cardinals sit elevated on a dais at the far end: Cardinal Benedict in the centre, Cardinal Maria to his left, Cardinal Marcus to his right. Below them, arranged in a semicircle, sit the House leaders and their key advisors.
Everyone is here.
Isolde looks composed but watchful, her amber dress a sharp contrast to the grey stone. She catches my eye and gives me a small smile. Lady Tavia speaks quietly with her communication specialists while Lord Evander’s fingers drum against the armrest of his chair. Lady Nerida sits perfectly still, her eyes distant. Commander Kaelix leans back with studied casualness, but their gaze tracks every movement in the room.
And Astrid. She stands near the front, her eyes finding mineimmediately. Relief flashes across her face, followed quickly by worry as she takes in my changed clothes, the bandage on my arm.
Ren guides me toward an empty seat, Lord Castor and Zevran still flanking us. As we approach, Astrid moves to intercept, pulling me into a brief, fierce hug.
“Thank the stars you’re okay,” she whispers against my ear. “I tried to get to you, but the Uranus engineers pulled me away to safety when the attack started. I should have been there by your side…”
“No,” I murmur back. “You’re safe, that’s all that matters.”
She pulls away, her hands gripping my shoulders as she scans my face, my body, checking for injuries with a healer’s instinct. Then she steps back, positioning herself beside me as we take our seats.
As I sit, I feel dozens of eyes assessing, calculating, wondering if I’m worth the trouble I’ve caused.
Cardinal Benedict rises, and the hall falls silent.
“This Conclave stands at a crossroads,” he begins, his voice carrying across the chamber with practiced authority. “Two security breaches under our jurisdiction. Two attempts on the life of a participant. We can no longer afford to operate under the assumption that these isolated incidents are merely coincidence.”
He pauses, letting the words settle.
“The first breach should have been our warning. We increased patrols, tightened protocols. Yet, tonight, four assassins infiltrated the masquerade.”
Cardinal Maria leans forward, her sharp eyes settling on me. “Lady Cyra. You were at the centre of both attacks. Walk us through tonight’s events.”
I stand, aware of every eye in the chamber. “Four assassins came at me from different directions during the ball.”
“And who intervened?” Cardinal Marcus asks.
“Agent Ren, Lord Castor, Lord Zevran.” I pause. “And Lord Lucien of Pluto.”
The room erupts into whispers. Several House leaders lean forward.
Cardinal Benedict’s expression hardens. “Lord Lucien intervened with shadow magic, is that correct? You’re certain it was him?”
“Yes.” I whisper.
“Where is Lord Lucien now?” Cardinal Maria’s voice sharpens.
“I don’t know. He left after the attack.”
Cardinal Benedict’s jaw tightens. “We attempted to detain him for questioning. He evaded our guards and seemingly disappeared.” He looks out at the assembled leaders, his voice rising slightly. “The Lord of Pluto, a fallen kingdom, banished from participating in this Conclave … has infiltrated it. He has demonstrated the ability to bypass our security at will. And he appears to have taken a particular interest in Lady Cyra.”
