Chapter 97 Council Summons
POV: Luna
The Council chambers are in the oldest part of Silverwood Academy.
Deep underground. Behind wards that make my mark tingle with recognition.
Ancient magic. Powerful magic.
A guard escorts me down stone corridors lit by magical torches.
My footsteps echo. Every sound amplified by nerves.
We reach massive wooden doors. Carved with symbols I don't recognize.
The guard knocks three times.
"Enter," a voice commands from within.
The doors swing open.
I step into the chamber and freeze.
It's massive. Circular. With high ceilings that disappear into shadow.
Ancient tapestries line the walls. Showing pack history. Battles. Treaties. Executions.
That last one doesn't help my anxiety.
At the far end, seated in a semicircle, are the Council members.
Seven of them. Representing different territories. Different packs. Different power bases.
All old. All powerful. All looking at me like I'm something dangerous that needs to be assessed.
"Luna Eclipse," the center councilor says. "Thank you for coming."
Like I had a choice.
"Step forward. Stand in the circle."
There's a circle carved into the stone floor. Right in the center of the chamber.
I step into it carefully.
The moment I do, I feel it. The circle activates. Reading my magical signature. My power level. Everything about me.
It's invasive. Uncomfortable. But I don't show it.
"State your name and lineage for the record," the center councilor orders.
"Luna Eclipse. Granddaughter of Elara Eclipse. Second generation Eclipse wolf."
"And you understand why you've been summoned?"
"To answer questions about recent rogue attacks."
"Among other things." He gestures to the councilor on his right. "Councilor Thorne will begin the questioning."
My blood runs cold.
Councilor Marcus Thorne. Professor Thorne. The same person.
He's on the Council. Of course he is.
Which means he has direct influence over what happens to me.
"Miss Eclipse," he says, his voice formal and cold. "Rogue attacks at Silverwood Academy have increased dramatically since your arrival. Can you explain why these creatures seem drawn to you specifically?"
And there it is. The accusation wrapped in a question.
"I don't know why rogues target me," I say carefully. "My best guess is that my Eclipse mark attracts magical attention. But I'm not summoning them. I'm not controlling them. I'm defending myself against them."
"Are you?" another councilor asks. A woman from the Coastal packs. "Because witnesses report that you've demonstrated unusual power during these encounters. Power that seems to grow with each attack. Almost like you're feeding off the conflict."
"I'm not feeding off anything. I'm learning. Training. Getting stronger because I have to. Because if I don't, I'll die."
"Or because you're being prepared," Councilor Thorne suggests. "Shaped by some external force. Groomed for a purpose we don't yet understand."
"The only thing shaping me is survival."
"And the goddess?" a Northern pack councilor asks. "We've heard you have direct contact with her. That she speaks to you. Sends you to the otherworld. That's highly unusual for a second year student."
"I don't control when the goddess speaks to me. It just happens."
"Convenient."
They're not trying to understand. They're building a case.
Proving I'm dangerous. Uncontrolled. A threat.
"Tell us about today's attack," Councilor Thorne says. "Seven rogues. Coordinated. Intelligent. They specifically called you by name. Called you 'Eclipse.' How did they know to find you in that exact location?"
"I don't know."
"You were with friends. In a secret training location. How did rogues discover it?"
"I don't know."
"The shadow caller has been reaching out to you. Sending messages. Offering bargains. Have you accepted any of his offers?"
"No. Never."
"But you've spoken with him. Heard his arguments. Considered his perspective."
"Only to understand what I'm fighting against."
"Or to prepare for eventual alliance."
"That's not true!"
My mark flares with my anger. Bright silver light filling the chamber.
The councilors exchange significant looks.
"Uncontrolled emotional response manifesting as magical outburst," the Coastal councilor says. "Exactly the kind of instability we feared."
I force myself to calm down. To dim my mark. To breathe.
But the damage is done.
They've seen me lose control. Even briefly.
That's all the evidence they need.
The doors open again. Someone else enters.
Cole.
He bows to the Council. "Councilors. Thank you for allowing me to provide testimony."
"Professor Mercer," the center councilor acknowledges. "You've been teaching Miss Eclipse in advanced combat. What is your assessment of her control and stability?"
All eyes turn to Cole.
This is it. He can either support me or condemn me.
And I have no idea which he'll choose.
"Luna Eclipse is the most naturally talented student I've taught in five years," he says. "Her ability to integrate wolf instincts with magical casting is unprecedented for her age. She demonstrates exceptional control under pressure. And most importantly, she uses her power defensively. Protectively. Not aggressively."
"What about the incident today? Seven rogues defeated. Some permanently."
"She was defending herself and her friends. She showed restraint even in life-threatening circumstances. A lesser student would have killed all seven. She disabled them and let them retreat."
"You're defending her."
"I'm providing accurate assessment. Which is what you asked for."
Councilor Thorne leans forward. "Professor Mercer, are you aware of Miss Eclipse's otherworld connections? Her ability to channel essence from the deceased? The fact that she can bridge worlds during combat?"
Cole doesn't hesitate. "I'm aware she's developing advanced abilities. That's to be expected from Eclipse bloodline. The goddess marks those with exceptional potential. Luna is fulfilling that potential. That's not a crime."
"But it is a concern. When power develops too quickly, without proper oversight, it becomes dangerous."
"With respect, Councilor, proper oversight is exactly what Silverwood provides. She has teachers. Mentors. Support systems. She's not developing in isolation."
The councilors confer quietly. Discussing. Debating.
I stand in the circle, waiting. Trying not to show fear.
Cole meets my eyes briefly. Something in his expression is reassuring.
He helped me. Actually helped me.
Maybe I've been wrong about him. Maybe he's not the threat I thought.
Finally, the center councilor speaks.
"Miss Eclipse, the Council acknowledges that you did not invite these attacks. However, your presence at Silverwood clearly attracts dangerous magical attention. Rogue incursions have increased. Blood magic has been employed against you. The shadow caller himself has taken personal interest in your development."
"None of that is my fault."
"No. But it is your reality. And we must consider the safety of all students. Not just you."
"What are you saying?"
"We're saying that measures must be taken. Precautions implemented. To ensure that your power doesn't become a liability to others."
"What kind of measures?"
The councilors exchange looks. Having a silent conversation I'm not part of.
Then Councilor Thorne speaks.
"We may need to consider the Binding Protocol."
My blood turns to ice.
"The Binding Protocol strips Eclipse power," I say. "Chains it. It's a death sentence."
"It's a safety measure. Used only in extreme cases."
"This isn't extreme! I haven't hurt anyone. Haven't done anything wrong!"
"You've demonstrated uncontrolled power growth. Otherworld access without supervision. Direct communication with corrupted entities. And you've become the focal point for multiple dangerous situations."
"Because I'm being targeted! Not because I'm the threat!"
"The result is the same. Students are in danger because of your presence."
Cole steps forward. "With respect, Councilors, the Binding Protocol has never been used successfully. Every Eclipse it was employed on died within months. This isn't protection. It's execution."
"That's not our intent."
"But it will be the outcome. Luna Eclipse is strong. Exceptionally strong. Binding her power will destroy her. And you know it."
Silence falls.
The councilors look at each other. Uncomfortable. Conflicted.
"We're not making a decision today," the center councilor finally says. "But the Binding Protocol remains under consideration. Miss Eclipse, you are to report weekly on your power development. Any unusual magical occurrences must be disclosed immediately. And you are forbidden from entering the otherworld without explicit faculty supervision."
"But I don't control when—"
"Those are the terms. Accept them or face immediate binding."
I have no choice.
"I accept."
"Good. You're dismissed. Professor Mercer, please escort her out."
Cole guides me from the chamber. The doors close behind us with finality.
I'm shaking. Trying not to cry.
"They're going to bind me," I whisper. "Eventually. When they decide I'm too dangerous. They'll do it."
"Not if we prevent it."
"How?"
"By proving you're in control. That you're not a threat. That your power is an asset, not a liability." He stops, turning to face me. "Luna, you have allies. More than you realize. Don't give up yet."
"You defended me in there. Why?"
"Because you're worth defending. And because I don't believe in destroying potential just because it's frightening."
He walks away, leaving me in the corridor.
Alone with the weight of the Council's threat.
Binding Protocol.
Power stripped. Life ended.
All because I'm strong.
All because I'm different.
All because I'm Eclipse.
And there's nothing I can do to stop it.
Except prove them wrong.
Prove I'm worth the risk.
Prove I can be powerful without being dangerous.
But how?
When every day brings new attacks. New threats. New evidence that maybe they're right to fear me.
I don't have answers.
Just determination to survive.
Whatever it takes.