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“We stand with the guardian. The Hollow protects us all. Without it⁠—”

“Without it, we’d be free. Free from hiding, from pretending, from living in fear of what’s in those woods.”

The human lawyer’s voice cracks.

“You don’t understand what you’re saying. The things in the Hollow, if they get out⁠—”

Rowan’s hands shake against the table.

“Then we deal with them. With modern methods. Modern solutions. Not cowering behind ancient wards and hoping the darkness stays contained.”

Preston’s voice is calm again. Controlled. Like he’s discussing a business transaction.

“The vote is deadlocked. Two for the guardian, two against. Rowan?”

Marcus looks at the dryad.

“My people don’t take sides in conflicts between others. We abstain.”

Rowan’s amber eyes are distant.

“Coward.”

Preston spits the word.

Another tremor runs through the Hollow. The bottles behind the bar rattle. Dust falls from the ceiling beams.

Preston stands, brushing off his suit. “Fine. Do nothing. Cling to your old ways and your ancient laws. But when the Rot comes, when the barrier fails and everything spills out, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

“What have you done?”

I’m moving before I realize it, crossing the room, but Preston is already backing toward the door.

“Progress. I’ve already started the process. The development crews break ground tomorrow morning. They’ll drain the marsh, clear the trees, pour the foundations. And when the barrier breaks under the strain...” He shrugs. “Well. That’s progress too.”

He’s gone before I can reach him. Door slamming. Footsteps echoing down the hallway.

The tremor that hits knocks the human lawyer out of his chair. Moira gasps. Even Marcus stumbles.

Through my connection to the Hollow, I feel it. The barrier has a crack running through it like lightning through glass. Not breaking yet, but weakening. Something is pulling at it from the inside, testing the weak points, pushing against the wards.

Preston has already started.

“We need to go.” I grab Kaia’s arm, pull her to her feet. “Now.”

“What’s happening?”

Her face is pale.

“He’s breaking the barrier.”

Marcus slams his fist on the table. “We need to act. Now. Rowan, mobilize your people to evacuate the residential areas. Moira, get everyone with defensive magic to the eastern perimeter.”

“I’ll reinforce what’s left of the barrier,” I say, already moving toward the door with Kaia’s hand in mine.

“You’re too weak,” Moira says flatly. “You can barely stand.”

“Then I’ll die trying. But she comes with me.”