Page 106 of Death Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

Lucinda’s voice rose. “Salima’s presence is destabilizing. Her power is death. This town is drowning in it.”

I swallowed, forcing my voice into steadiness. “My power is not the cause. The calling is interfering with healing. That is why I couldn’t help the student.”

Lucinda’s eyes flashed. “Excuses again.”

Faith’s hands curled into fists. “He was bleeding in front of you and you chose to insult her. You are disgusting.”

Lucinda’s gaze narrowed. “Mind your tone, Faith.”

Faith’s mouth curled. “Make me.”

The room vibrated with tension. I could feel the old grudges, the politics, the constant struggle for control, all stacked on top of the real crisis outside these marble walls.

Hunter finally moved.

He stepped forward and slammed a palm down on the table hard enough to make the torches flicker. The sound snapped attention toward him.

“Enough,” Hunter said, voice like a command. “We can tear each other apart later. Right now, we are losing the town.”

Lucinda opened her mouth.

Hunter cut her off. “Lucinda, you can threaten votes and exile after we stop the outbreaks. Faith, step back.”

Faith held Lucinda’s stare another heartbeat, then stepped away, still vibrating with fury.

Hunter looked around the room, eyes hard. “We have confirmed spirit-driven reanimation. We have confirmed shielding that blocks tracking within a three-mile radius near the hospital. We have confirmed interference affecting Salima’s healing.”

Lucinda stiffened at the mention of my healing. “That is not council jurisdiction.”

Hunter’s mouth tightened. “It is if the calling threatens the entire supernatural population, including the pack lands and the covenstead. Jurisdiction stops mattering when everything burns.”

Carnell gave a quiet hum of approval.

Hunter continued, voice controlled. “Our priorities are these. Find the relic. Break the shield. Stop the calling. Contain the undead. Keep mundanes from spreading footage.”

Greyson lifted his phone. “The internet problem is getting worse. Scrubbing is not keeping up. Mina is doing what she can, but it’s a band-aid.”

Caton shifted, eyes tight. “My daughter is good at what she does.”

“Good,” Hunter said, not indulging the distraction. “Now we get to work.”

Lucinda’s gaze slid to me again. “And Salima will not leave our sight.”

My stomach turned.

Not because I was afraid of being watched. Because I knew what she meant.

Control. Leverage. Punishment.

Hunter’s eyes narrowed. “Salima goes where she is needed. We do not waste assets because you want someone to blame.”

Lucinda’s smile was cold. “Then keep her useful.”

Faith moved closer again, not touching me, but near enough that I could feel her presence as a shield.

Hunter looked at the room, voice firm. “We are done with personal attacks. We have bigger enemies than each other. This meeting continues with plans, not threats. Anyone who can’t manage that can leave.”

No one left.