Page 47 of Shadowkissed

Liora walks beside me, cloak fluttering at her ankles, chin lifted. She looks calm, controlled—but I know her too well now. Her shoulders are too tight. Her fingers curl like they want to spark fire, even if it isn’t her element.

Though Liora called the meeting, they are the ones who decide and summon. The council’s summoned us to a hidden chamber under the old Avalon ruins—protected by glamor and old-world runes. The kind of place that smells like memory and war.

They don’t offer greetings when we arrive. Of course they don’t.

We’re ushered in by witches who say nothing, their expressions carved from stone. One of them I recognize—Leira, silver-haired and sour-faced, her eyes already narrowed at me like she’s seconds from hexing my mouth shut.

At the head of the room stands Thorne. I recognize him only based on description alone. Tall, unreadable, cold as the grave. He meets my eyes once, then turns away like I’m beneath his notice.

Figures.

A Fire Council elder stands near him—dark red robes, a crown of cinders smoldering above their head, smoke curling from their breath. Vampires linger in the far corner—elegant and bored, all moon-pale and blood-sweet, eyes like polished obsidian.

Two shifters stand to the right, neither of them from my line. I recognize the markings of the Ursan and Vesper packs—both old as hell, both judgmental as shit.

We’re outnumbered and unwanted.

Perfect.

Liora stops in the center of the chamber. She doesn’t kneel. She doesn’t bow.

Good.

“My name is Liora Veilborn,” she says, clear and calm, even though I feel her pulse thudding like thunder next to mine. “I’ve called this council because a threat looms over all realms. Not just the fae. Not just the gifted.Everyone.”

The Fire elder raises a brow, bored. “We know who you are.”

“Then you know why I’m here.”

A pause.

Then Thorne speaks. “You’ve made quite a mess.”

Liora stiffens. “I didn’taskfor this.”

“But you fed it,” Leira cuts in. “You let yourself bond with him—” she gestures at me like I’m something she stepped in, “—knowing full well what it could mean.”

My teeth clench.

Liora’s voice tightens. “I didn’t expect the bond. I didn’t choose it. But I won’t pretend it’s not real.”

“Then you should’ve killed it when it started,” one of the shifters growls.

Before I can say anything, Loira’s eyes burn violet as she looks them all in the eye. “And what? Let Seraphiel get his way? Take down the whole world because we are too scared to go against him?”

“No, but if you hadn't started…whateverthis is, then it would have allowed us more time to plan, prepare. And your magic wouldn’t be screaming to him that you are prime for pruning!” a vampire snaps back.

I step forward, voice like steel. “I don’t know what the hell kind of tradition you all run here,” I say, voice rough, “but if you think threatening her is gonna solve your shit, you’re dumber than you look.”

The Ursan shifter snarls. “You’re a rogue, boy. Your opinion means less than dirt.”

Leira smirks. “Marked as one now, officially. You broke PEACE protocol. Lied about her existence. You’re already on the list. Just wait until they find out.”

I grin, sharp and wolfish. “Add me twice. I don’t give a fuck.”

“Enough.” Thorne’s voice booms like a command spell.

The room stills.

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