°•♡Chapter 62~ A Seat Among Thorns

By the time the inner circle assembled, I was fully in control of my emotions again and the storm in my chest was nearly over.

The Council chamber was filled with sharp eyes and stiff postures as I walked in. I sat at the head of the room, regal, cold. Untouchable.

That was the version of me I wanted them to see.

Ronan was seated just by my right, a constant reminder that I wasn’t alone. He knew the purpose of the meeting and I reminded him before we entered—watch Vane. Every twitch of his face, every shift in his tone. The plan was to bait him into a trap or to force him into going to see Selene.

“Thank you for gathering so quickly,” I said, voice level. “The Citadel must begin preparations. War is no longer a threat—it is a certainty.”

That got their attention.

Elder Thorne leaned forward, fingers interlaced. "Has the threat been identified?”

“Not formally. But yes, and a proper briefing will be done during our next general meeting.” I replied. “But it is of urgency that we strike