She steadies us without trying to. That’s what she does—pulls chaos into orbit.
She exhales slowly, then her expression shifts—softening into something more focused. Strategic.
“Zira,” she says, turning to face her. “I need intel on how to get back into the sanctuary and what it looks like now. Anything you know.”
Zira nods once, sharp. “I’ll tell you everything.”
Bree’s gaze moves to Jace. “Find out what provisions we can take from Mo. And how we can work off payment.”
“On it,” Jace says, already moving toward the back.
“Theo.” She looks at him steadily. “See if you can get a vision of what it looks like inside the sanctuary. Anything that might help us.”
He nods, eyes already distant with the weight of what she’s asking.
“Gray.” Her voice gentles slightly. “Can you shift and check the perimeter? Try to follow Nyx’s scent. Get an idea of where she went and make sure it’s safe.”
Gray’s jaw tightens, but he nods.
“Rhett, go with him,” she continues. “Show Seth how it’s done.”
Rhett glances at Seth, then back at Bree. “Got it.”
Her gaze finds Wes next. “See how many Feeders in town are willing to make the journey to the sanctuary with us.”
Wes straightens, surprise flickering across his face before he nods.
Finally, she looks at Thane, then at me.
“Thane and Stellan, you’re with me.”
Her gaze sweeps the room again, landing on each of us in turn. Seth. Theo. Gray. Rhett. Wes. Me.
Then she squares her shoulders.
“We meet back here. We face it together,” she says, voice quiet but carrying weight. “No running. No hiding.”
I thought the crown would make her dangerous. I was wrong. It made her certain.
Rhett nods once, sharp and final. Gray shifts closer to her side without seeming to decide to. Wes exhales shakily but doesn’t look away.
Bree glances toward the counter where the coin still sits, humming faintly against the wood.
She exhales slowly, then looks back at us.
“All right then, back here in an hour,” she says. “Then we’ll see what the bitch has to say.”
The room breaks into motion.
Zira pushes off the wall, heading out of the room, phone in hand. Rhett straightens, shoulders squared. Theo moves toward the coin with a frown, studying it like it might reveal something if he stares long enough. Jace smirks like the world just got interesting again as he disappears in his search for Mo. Seth crosses to the window and closes the blinds.
We move like a single thing. Not perfect, not polished — but together.
Whatever waits outside won’t find her alone.
The coin hums louder for a moment, then goes silent.
The air holds still, charged and waiting.
