"But serving as a High Consultant involves more than just the delicate touch of a Sage," Brent interjected, his voice cutting through the warmth of the tavern. "Hayden, when you established your sanctum in the Silver Ridge, it wasn't merely your skill with a mending-wand that kept the other packs from your door, was it? It was your ability to scent a trap from a league away."

Avery understood Brent’s hesitation. As the heir-apparent to the Hayes bloodline, his focus couldn't be limited to ancient relics; he had to guard the family's wealth and status. If an advisor lacked the instinct to detect a "Shadow-Fake"—counterfeit relics enchanted to mimic the...