Word of Silas's binding reached the Council before dawn.

Jasmine felt the shift in the air the moment their envoy arrived at Liora's gates — a stiff, silver-cloaked figure who did not bow so much as consent to remain upright in her presence.

"The Council requests your return," the envoy said, "to answer for the death magic you have wielded against a servant of the old order."

"I bound him," Jasmine said. "I didn't kill him. There's a difference, and your Council knows it, or they wouldn't have sent someone to negotiate instead of someone to collect a body."

The envoy's mouth thinned. "The Council does not negotiate with hybrids."...