I called the council that evening.

The war room, a space Zoe had converted from Cassian's overstuffed trophy room into something actually functional, was full.

Mira sat to my right. Valtherion to my left.

Ariana, Shane, the other Moonshadow officers filled the remaining seats.

Elder Cora represented the council.

Zane stood in the corner, silent, watchful, his ancient eyes missing nothing.

I laid it out clean. No sugarcoating.

"Purifiers. Twenty of them. Elite squad.

Arriving in approximately three days. Their objective is to capture me alive."

The room processed.

"Purifiers."

Shane's voice was flat.

He'd earned his seat at this table in the two weeks since the reforms, not through...