“The council was busy debating supply routes while the Blood Regent expanded into three new districts.” I match his measured authority. “I made a tactical decision.”
“A tactical decision. Is that what we’re calling it?”
Before I can respond, movement near the throne draws attention. Seravax steps forward from the shadows where he’s been observing—always observing, always patient, never committing until he’s assessed every angle. His features are sharp, almost delicate, and his pale amber eyes sweep the room with the constant assessment of someone who values results over principles.
“Perhaps we could begin the actual briefing.” His voice carries the dry precision of pure pragmatism. “The political posturing can wait until we know what we’re posturing about.”
Kaelreth’s gaze flicks to Seravax, then back to me. A silent assessment—whether pressing the point now serves his interests. Apparently, it doesn’t, because he steps back, gesturing toward the central platform.
“Report, Enforcer. The council awaits your assessment.”
I take the platform.
The gathered dragons move into positions of observation. Thirty-seven of them, by my count—every ranking member of the Cinder Flight who could be reached in time. Some in the tiered seating. Some standing along the walls. All watching mewith the focused attention of predators assessing a potential rival.
I’ve stood on this platform hundreds of times. Delivered reports on threats eliminated, territories secured, challenges to Flight authority crushed before they could spread. The role fits me—enforcer, executioner, the sharp edge of dragon rule. I’ve never minded their attention.
Today, it chafes.
“The Blood Regent’s network has exceeded our worst projections.” I keep my voice flat, clinical. Facts first. “As of last night’s assessment, blood-oath penetration has reached approximately forty percent of Lower Pyraeth’s population. The merchant districts are showing signs of infiltration. Two of our administrative liaisons have been confirmed compromised.”
Murmurs ripple through the hall. I let them build, then continue.
“The riots were not spontaneous. They were coordinated activation—multiple nodes triggered simultaneously to create chaos while the network expanded elsewhere. Our response eliminated forty-seven bound citizens and freed one hundred twelve more when the local network collapsed. Three of my guards are dead. Fourteen wounded.”
Seravax’s voice cuts through the murmurs.
“And the ritual site? The one you personally raided rather than sending a strike team?”
“The ritual site was actively running a blood-oath severance when I arrived.” I meet his pale amber gaze without flinching. “I found a witch mid-working. She was destroying the Regent’s bindings, not creating them.”
The murmurs intensify. I sense Kaelreth’s attention sharpen from his position near the throne platform.
“A witch.” His voice carries accusation. “Vireth bloodline, according to my sources. You took her into personal custodyrather than collective holding, and you’ve blocked all attempts to access her for standard processing.”
“Standard processing would waste her value.” I turn to address the full council, not Kaelreth alone. “The Vireth bloodline can sever blood-oaths cleanly. No backlash. No cascade failures. No magical residue for the Regent to trace. Our scholars have confirmed—she’s the only viable option for systematic network dismantlement.”
“Then she should be handled by proper channels.” Kaelreth steps forward, his authority pressing against mine. “The Flight’s collective resources, not one enforcer’s personal judgment.”
“Proper channels take time we don’t have.” I match his advance, refusing to yield ground. “Every day we spend debating protocols, the Regent binds more citizens. Every committee meeting, every review process, every fucking procedural delay costs us ground we can’t afford to lose.”
Heat bleeds into my voice. I clamp down on it, but not before several dragons notice. Kaelreth’s eyes narrow with sudden interest.
“You seem...invested, Enforcer.” His tone has shifted. Probing now rather than confrontational. “This witch must be quite valuable to provoke such passion.”
Careful. The warning surfaces from deep within, where instinct lives.He’s testing you. Don’t give him ammunition.
“You’re treating her as a prisoner by keeping her in the Ash Cells under your exclusive authority? By personally conducting her interrogation?” Kaelreth’s voice carries to every corner of the hall. “By spending hours in her company when you have subordinates who could extract the same information?”
The silence that follows is absolute. Thirty-seven dragons watching me, waiting for my response, sensing blood in the water.
“My methods are not subject to council review.” Cold. Colder than I intend. “The Enforcer’s jurisdiction is clear.”
“Your methods are subject to scrutiny when they compromise Flight security.” Kaelreth doesn’t back down. “The Vireth bloodline is dangerous. You’ve isolated a dangerous asset under your sole governance with no oversight. Some might call that... concerning.”
Something dangerous coils tighter in my chest. I sense my composure strain at the edges, the way it’s been straining since I first saw her in that basement. Kaelreth is pushing. Testing. Trying to provoke a reaction that will justify intervention.
Don’t give it to him.
