Chapter 87 The Council

Chapter 87 The Council
The moment Rowan opened her eyes, she knew she wasn't alone. The roots beneath the silver tree were still glowing.
Silver light spread across the courtyard stones, illuminating ancient symbols that pulsed with the rhythm of a heartbeat. The memory had released her only seconds ago, yet the emotions remained. The look on Elara's face when she realized the Council had already made its choice. Rowan pushed herself upright. Across the courtyard, Fenrir stood beneath the tree. Waiting, of course he was. The ancient werewolf seemed to know exactly when the memories ended, or perhaps the city told him. At this point, Rowan wasn't sure there was a difference. His golden eyes met hers.

"You saw him."

Not a question. Rowan nodded slowly.

"I saw enough."

The answer settled between them. Fenrir closed his eyes. For a moment, he looked exhausted. Like a man carrying a burden he was tired of holding. Before either of them could continue, another voice broke the silence.

"Well, that's never a good sign."

Jess. Rowan turned. Jess stood near the sanctuary entrance with Malric beside her, both looking far more awake than anyone had a right to be this early. Corvin emerged a moment later. His gaze found Rowan immediately. Always Rowan. The familiar warmth of the bond settled around her, and something in her chest loosened.

"What happened?" Corvin asked.

Rowan looked around the courtyard. At the people who had followed her this far. The people who had become family somewhere along the way. Then she took a breath.

"I know why my mother fought them."

Silence followed. Even Jess didn't interrupt. The gravity in Rowan's voice prevented it.

"The Council knew about the creature."

Fenrir nodded.

"They always did."

"They weren't trying to stop it."

The words tasted bitter.

"They were trying to control it."

Lucien appeared beside the sanctuary doorway. His expression darkened immediately. Elias, standing a few steps behind him, looked unsurprised. Which was somehow worse. Rowan's frustration surged.

"You knew."

Neither denied it and that answer hurt more than any argument. Lucien rubbed a hand across his jaw.

"We knew pieces."

"That's convenient."

The sarcasm slipped out before she could stop it. The city suddenly trembled, the silver roots brightened and the tree overhead rustled despite the absence of wind. Fenrir's head snapped upward. The reaction was immediate, and dangerous. Every muscle in his body tightened.

"What is it?" Corvin asked.

Fenrir didn't answer. The ancient wolf was staring beyond the sanctuary walls. Toward the distant city. Listening. Rowan felt it a second later. The bond. Not hers and Corvin's, something larger. The city itself. Awareness spread through the ancient streets. The city was responding to something or someone. Elias sighed.

"Well."

Nobody liked that tone. Jess immediately pointed.

"No."

"No?"

"Every time you say well, something terrible happens."

To everyone's surprise, Elias looked mildly offended.

"I'll have you know that's not entirely fair."

The ground shook harder this time. Jess pointed again.

"I rest my case."

Fenrir's expression darkened.

"They're here."

The words settled like a stone. Nobody asked who. nobody needed to, beacause, somewhere beyond the sanctuary walls, silver horns began to sound. One after another. The same horns Rowan had heard in the memory. Recognition slammed into her and her stomach dropped.

"No."

Fenrir's gaze shifted toward her.

"You remember."

It wasn't a question. The realization hit all at once. The last time those horns sounded, the city had fallen. The thought stole her breath. Moments later, figures emerged from the far side of the courtyard. Five of them, all dressed in dark uniforms marked with silver symbols. Council symbols. The air itself seemed to tighten. Malric stepped forward. Corvin moved beside Rowan. Fenrir's expression became lethal. The lead figure stopped several yards away. An older man with silver hair and sharp eyes. Authority radiated from him and the remaining four spread out behind him. The older man's gaze settled on Rowan. For several seconds, nobody spoke. Then he inclined his head, gesture of respect or perhaps recognition.

"Rowan."

The sound of her name from his mouth made her skin crawl, because she knew that face. Not from the present but from the memory. The Council member who had stood opposite Elara. The man who had voted against her. The man who had chosen fear. The realization struck so hard Rowan nearly staggered. Corvin immediately steadied her. The older man's expression tightened. He knew, he saw it in her face, he knew she remembered. Before Rowan could speak, another figure stepped forward from behind him. A woman with dark hair and familiar eyes. The sight stole Rowan's breath for an entirely different reason.

"Taryn?"

The werewolf looked exhausted. For one terrifying second, Rowan didn't know what would happen next. Neither did anyone else. The Council members looked toward Taryn expectantly. Taryn looked at Rowan then at the Council and back at Rowan. Without a word, she crossed the distance between them. Straight past the Council, straight past the older man, straight to Rowan's side. The silence that followed was absolute.Taryn folded her arms. Looked directly at the Council leader and smiled.

"Oh, this is going to make somebody furious."