Aldric's expression was unreadable as Elara handed him the sealed letter from the Sealed Courts.
His eyes skimmed the parchment. "They moved faster than I expected."
"They've given us one lunar cycle," Elara said. "To dissolve the bond—or fight."
"They won't wait that long. Vessara is a diplomat, but the Council she represents isn't known for mercy." Aldric crumpled the letter in his palm, and it burned to cinders.
Elara folded her arms. "So what do we do?"
Aldric looked at her, something ancient flickering behind his eyes. "We make them remember why the Shadow Court was feared."
Later that night, Aldric summoned his remaining allies to a chamber hidden beneath Vale Dynamics—a forgotten ruin woven into the city's underbelly. There, beneath a red moon, sat the Blood Moon Council, sworn to defend the pact-bearers of the Shadow Court.
Elara took her place at Aldric's side.
One elder, a gaunt man with silver tattoos crawling up his throat, eyed her with disdain. "A mortal bride. This is your solution?"
"She is the bond," Aldric replied coldly. "And the blade that will break their advance."
Elara met the elder's gaze. "Then sharpen me."