The discarded Luna rises
Ines sits across from me, silent, watchful, the way she's been since the morning Micah ran from this very room and hasn't fully looked at either of us the same way since.
"She's close," I say, voice calm, almost pleased with myself. "Closer than she wants us to know. The moment the formula is stable enough to present, we move. Public reconciliation, joint announcement, merger papers already drafted." I turn the glass slowly in my hand, watching the whiskey catch the lamplight, amber against crystal. "Once her name is tied to Silver Moon again, the Moonlight holdings become accessible." I shrug, the gesture casual, lethal underneath it. "After that, she will no longer be necessary."