The heavy doors of the High Council Chamber groaned as they opened, a chill draft rushing out to meet Gideon. The room beyond was dimly lit, the flicker of enchanted torches casting jagged shadows along the polished marble floor. At the far end, seated beneath a massive arch of bck stone, were the Councilors.

  Seven figures sat in a crescent behind a long obsidian table. Their robes shimmered with power — gold, crimson, and deep blue patterns glowing faintly beneath the torchlight. The central figure, an older man with pale hair and dark eyes, leaned forward. His gaze pinned Gideon the moment he crossed the threshold.

  “Gideon Bckthorn,” the man said, his voice like a bde scraping over steel. “Approach.”

  Gideon’s jaw tightened, but he strode forward without hesitation. Nyra’s presence pulsed beneath his grip. He stopped at the center of the chamber, beneath the gaze of the Council’s combined scrutiny.

  The old man’s gaze narrowed. “You survived the Rite of Dominion.”

  “Yes,” Gideon said.

  “And the sword awakened?”

  Gideon’s fingers brushed over the hilt at his back. Nyra’s pulse thrummed beneath his skin.

  “Yes,” he said again.

  Murmurs spread through the Council. A tall woman with steel-gray hair and cold blue eyes leaned forward, her gaze sharp. “You wield the sword without consequence?”

  Gideon’s gaze hardened. “Define consequence.”

  The woman’s eyes fshed. “Arrogance.”

  A low chuckle stirred in Gideon’s mind. She’s not wrong, Nyra purred.

  Gideon ignored her. “I completed the Rite. I cimed the sword. That’s not arrogance — that’s proof of strength.”

  “You presume to understand the burden you carry?” the gray-haired woman said.

  “No,” Gideon said. His gaze sharpened. “But I intend to.”

  Another murmur ran through the chamber. The central figure — Lord Varien, High Councilor — steepled his hands. “And what will you do with this power?”

  Gideon’s gaze hardened. “What’s necessary.”

  Varien’s eyes narrowed. “Expin.”

  Gideon’s jaw tightened. “The sword exists for a reason. It’s a weapon. I intend to use it.”

  “You speak of war,” the steel-haired woman said.

  Gideon’s gaze didn’t waver. “War is coming whether I wield the sword or not.”

  The woman’s lips thinned. “And you think you’re prepared to face it?”

  “No,” Gideon said. His hand slid over the hilt of the sword. Nyra’s presence fred beneath his touch. His gaze sharpened. “But I intend to be.”

  The chamber fell into tense silence.

  “You speak with certainty,” Varien said quietly.

  “I speak with understanding,” Gideon said. “The sword chose me. That’s not coincidence.”

  “And if the sword’s will leads you to ruin?” Varien’s gaze sharpened.

  Gideon’s hand tightened on the hilt. Nyra’s pulse echoed through his skin.

  “Then I’ll drag it out of the ashes,” Gideon said.

  Varien’s gaze darkened. He leaned back in his chair. “We shall see.”

  The heavy doors opened behind Gideon. Two guards stepped forward, armored in silver and bck.

  Varien’s gaze didn’t waver. “You are dismissed.”

  Gideon’s jaw tightened. He turned and strode toward the exit, his boots echoing against the marble floor. The guards’ gaze tracked him as he passed.

  Beyond the doors, Lilith waited. Her green eyes were hard beneath the flicker of torchlight.

  “Well?” she said.

  “They think I’m dangerous,” Gideon said.

  Lilith’s gaze sharpened. “Are you?”

  Gideon’s smile was cold. “We’ll find out.”

  A sound stirred beyond the edge of the hall. A flicker of amber hair and blue eyes. Asha leaned casually against the wall, one foot propped behind her, her arms crossed beneath the curve of her chest.

  “Interesting performance,” Asha purred.

  Gideon’s gaze narrowed. “You were listening.”

  “Hard not to,” Asha said. Her tail flicked zily behind her. “Your confidence is… entertaining.”

  Gideon’s gaze darkened. “Careful. You might start to believe in it.”

  Asha’s smile sharpened. “Oh, I already do.”

  Lilith’s gaze cut toward Asha. “What are you doing here?”

  Asha’s eyes gleamed. “Seeing how long it takes him to get himself killed.”

  Lilith’s jaw tightened. “You have no business here.”

  Asha’s gaze flicked toward Lilith. “I make my own business.”

  Lilith’s eyes fshed. Magic coiled faintly around her fingers.

  Gideon stepped between them. His gaze hardened. “Enough.”

  Lilith’s jaw tightened. Asha’s smile widened.

  Gideon’s gaze darkened. “If you’re here to cause trouble—”

  “I’m here to help,” Asha said, her voice smooth.

  Lilith’s eyes narrowed. “Help?”

  Asha’s smile sharpened. “He’ll need someone watching his back.”

  Lilith’s eyes burned. “He has me.”

  Asha’s gaze glinted. “And how’s that working out?”

  Gideon’s hand brushed the hilt of the sword. Nyra’s presence pulsed faintly beneath his grip.

  “I don’t need protection,” Gideon said.

  Asha’s blue eyes fshed. “That’s not what I heard.”

  Gideon’s gaze sharpened. “From who?”

  Asha’s smile curved. “Let’s just say… you’ve drawn attention.”

  Lilith’s gaze darkened. “Who?”

  Asha’s smile widened. “You’ll find out soon enough.”

  Gideon’s jaw tightened. His gaze sharpened.

  “If you’re pying a game,” he said quietly, “you’ll regret it.”

  Asha’s eyes fshed. “You’re already in the game, Gideon.”

  She leaned toward him, her blue eyes gleaming beneath the torchlight. “Try not to lose.”

  Then she turned and melted into the shadows.

  Lilith’s gaze hardened. “You trust her?”

  “No,” Gideon said. His gaze narrowed. “But I trust her to be dangerous.”

  Lilith’s eyes darkened. “That makes two of you.”

  Gideon’s grip tightened on the sword. Nyra’s presence curled through his thoughts.

  She’s right, Nyra’s voice murmured. You are dangerous.

  Gideon’s smile darkened.

  “Good.”