"Open the gates."Vanessa Whitmore didn't raise her voice, she didn't have to. The order carried across the rain-soaked courtyard with enough authority that every warrior on the wall turned at once.A sentry blows the horn as the gates swing open to welcome the group. Steel groaned as the massive Reed Manor gates began to swing inward. Across the courtyard, a dozen Council Elders stood beneath the stone portico, cloaks dripping with rain. Their expressions ranged from curiosity to outright suspicion. Aunt Eleanor folded her arms, "They haven't even reached the courtyard yet."Vanessa never looked at her."They're coming home.""They can come home after the Council has searched them."Vanessa turned then.Slowly."So now my family needs permission to enter my own house?"Eleanor's jaw tightened."That isn't what I said.""It sounded remarkably close."Neither woman blinked.Rain drummed ag
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