Ironveil's front gate looks smaller from the outside. I remember leaving through it in the dark with broken ribs, no wolf, and nothing in my hands except the knowledge I had spent six years making useful for people who never thought to ask where it came from.

Graham does not ask me to sit. He is already seated at the witness table when Evan brings in the recorder, two council representatives, Tessa, and Grant. Vivienne arrives last with an Ironveil advocate and no Silvercrest guards. That is new. Her eyes find me befo

Smoke reaches the council corridor before the second fire bell finishes. Everyone moves at once. That is the problem. Guards turn toward the records wing. Two council aides run for the north stairs. Someone shouts that the outer patrol needs reinforcement.