His eyes flick upward.
“Lonari,” he says, voice tight now. “Don’t do this.”
I step forward, slow. The stone floor is cool under my boots. The overhead light makes my shadow stretch long.
“I’m not doing anything,” I say calmly. “You did.”
Korran swallows, trying to regain control. “We can talk?—”
“I’m done talking to people who bring knives to negotiations,” I reply.
He lifts his hands slightly, placating. “You’ll start a bloodbath in here?—”
“No,” I say. “I’ll stop one.”
I look at the room, making sure everyone sees this. Everyone. Especially the ones who like to pretend they’re neutral.
“Korran Vale is attempting to seize control of this summit,” I announce. “Right now. In front of all of you.”
Coalhand rep’s eyes narrow. Father Vahl’s expression goes grim. Dockwright rep curses quietly.
Korran shakes his head fast. “This is insane?—”
I cut him off. “Confess.”
His eyes flare. “What?”
“Confess,” I repeat, voice still calm. “On record. Say you came here intending to take my head and claim my city.”
Korran laughs—thin, desperate. “You can’t force?—”
I step closer. “I can.”
He glances around, searching for allies. He finds fear, not loyalty.
He swallows hard. “Fine. Yes. I came to remove you.”
A hush falls like a blade.
I nod once, satisfied.
“Good,” I say. “Now everyone knows what ‘competent management’ looks like.”
Korran’s face twists with rage. “You’ll kill me?”
I smile faintly. “No.”
That surprises him.
“It’s not enough,” I continue. “Death is clean. It’s simple. It makes martyrs.”
Korran’s throat bobs.
I turn to the room. “This is what the Nine feeds on,” I say. “Division. Rivals sharpening knives in the dark while the real predator laughs.”
Then I look back at Korran. “You’re done.”
I gesture, and my people move—fast, quiet. They strip weapons off Korran’s men, disarm them without drama. Korrantries to resist, but a pressure point drops him to his knees, breath whooshing out.
