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Oda stood several feet away, her hands folded calmly in front of her.

I walked up the aisle in my own clothes this time. I had put on jeans and the largest sweater I owned, and Jax's sun rested against my throat. Fresh bandages covered my palms, changed by Tamsin shortly before dawn. Kaelen's rose had been left upstairs in a jug of water because I couldn't think of anywhere else to put it.

When I reached the foot of the dais, I stopped and looked at Aldric.

"Miss Hale," he said, with the pleasant formality of someone opening an ordinary morning meeting. "Good morning. I trust you slept."

He unfolded the document in front of him.

"I'll be brief. Last night, in the presence of Council envoys, you interfered in a sanctioned Culling Exam. You also demonstrated abilities entirely inconsistent with your registration, and you did so in a manner that gives the Council reason to believe you may belong to a category of Kindred recognized under the Accord as a danger to public order."

He didn't use the word, but everyone in the Hall knew what he meant.

"The Council has therefore issued a warrant authorizing your removal from Ironmoor and your transfer into Council custody pending formal assessment."

He placed the document flat on the table.

"Enforcers are waiting at the gate. You will be treated comfortably, I assure you."

No one spoke.

Oda Brannock stepped forward before I could answer.

She crossed the dais at an unhurried pace, carrying an enormous book bound in cracked black leather and fastened with heavy iron clasps. Without asking permission, she laid it directly over Aldric's warrant. The impact echoed through the Hall, and two of the Wardens glanced down before quickly turning their attention back to her.

Oda opened the book.

"The Charter of Ironmoor," she said, her voice carrying easily through the chamber. "The original, signed at the Accord of Iron by all nine seats three hundred and twelve years ago. It predates every Warden at this table, Councillor, and by a considerable margin, it predates you."

She rested one hand on the open page.

"Article the First: No Council, nor any officer of any Council, may take from Ironmoor any person in Ironmoor's charge, whether student or staff, save by that person's own consent."

Then she raised her head and fixed Aldric with her round, unblinking eyes.

"Miss Hale is a student of this academy," Oda said. "She is in my charge."

One of the Wardens leaned forward. "The Proving is concluded. Is she still considered a student?"

"Completion of a Proving does not terminate enrollment," Oda replied. "A student remains enrolled until she graduates, withdraws, or is formally expelled. Miss Hale has done none of those things."

Aldric looked down at me. "And do you consent to leave Ironmoor, Miss Hale?"

Every face in the Hall turned toward me.

"No," I said. My voice carried more clearly than I expected. "I do not consent."

Oda kept her hand on the Charter. "Then your warrant has no force on Ironmoor, Aldric. I invoke the Sanctuary of Ironmoor."

For several seconds, no one spoke.

One of the Wardens broke the silence. "The Sanctuary has not been invoked in two centuries."

"Then it is well rested," Oda said.

Someone in the gallery let out a startled laugh and immediately covered their mouth.

I kept my eyes on Aldric, waiting for the pleasant expression to slip. After the armed men, the darts, the false leave, and now the warrant, I expected at least some sign that Oda had finally pushed him too far.