She's listening, really listening, and filing away every detail.
"Coordinated investigation seems prudent," Caelum said. "Share information about stone locations, failure patterns, and any unusual phenomena observed."
"You're suggesting we open our domains to inspection," Vex said with amusement. "How trusting."
"I'm suggesting we work together to solve a problem that affects all of us," Caelum replied with patience. "Unless you believe the failures will simply stop on their own?"
Dante considered the proposal. Everything Caelum suggested was logical, practical, and necessary if they were truly facing coordinated failures. Yet something nagged at him.
"I'll consider coordination," he said finally. "But I won't open my domain to unrestricted access."
"Of course not," Caelum said with understanding. "We each have security concerns. Perhaps we could start with shared reports? Information exchange without requiring physical access?"
Silence stretched. No one wanted to commit.
"I'll consider it as well," Seraphina said finally, which meant no.
Vex examined his nails. "Perhaps."
Thessa's form flickered, which could mean anything.
Caelum smiled as if this constituted agreement. "Then we'll coordinate through regular reports when possible. Share patterns as we're comfortable and compare data.”
He let that settle for a moment.
"Speaking of working together," Caelum continued, his tone shifting slightly, "there is one other matter that concerns me..."
Caelum's gaze moved to the thief. "Your tribute, brother. Given her circumstances, perhaps she would be more comfortable in a domain better suited to mortal limitations."
The temple fell silent except for the whisper of shadows moving around Dante's throne.
Then even those stopped.
"Explain," Dante said, voice neutral despite the warning prickling down his spine.
"The Forsaken domain is harsh, brother. Beautiful in its way, but..." Caelum gestured delicately. "Despair and terror weigh heavily on mortal hearts. My realm offers gentler transitions, peaceful crossings. She would thrive there."
"She's proven useful in my domain," Dante said evenly.
"And she could be equally useful in mine," Caelum replied smoothly. "Perhaps more so, given that comfort and safety allow for clearer thinking. Fear clouds judgment, brother. You know this."
"The girl has a spine," Seraphina interjected. "But even steel breaks under enough pressure. A week in the Forsaken realm..." She shook her head. "Most mortals don't last."
"Precisely my point," Caelum acknowledged. "Why waste her potential by subjecting her to hardship? In my domain, she could explore whatever connection she has to the old magic without the constant stress of survival."
Each word was reasonable. Each argument logical. And every sentence made Dante's shadows writhe with agitation.
"She stays with me."
The words came out harder than intended, shadows flaring around his throne in a display that made the other Death Lords sitback. Frost spread across the floor in patterns radiating outward from where he sat, the temperature dropping fifteen degrees in seconds.
Caelum's eyebrows rose in surprise. "Brother, I meant no offense. I'm concerned for her welfare?—"
"She. Stays. With. Me."
Each word carried the weight of command, echoing off the temple's walls and settling into the silence that followed. The wards hummed in response to power radiating from his position, and the metal star inlaid in the floor began to glow with cold light.
For a long moment, no one moved. No one spoke.
