Aurora POV
"Medical updates first," I say. "And no one spreads speculation."
Too late for that.
It's already spreading.
I can feel it moving beyond the chamber.
Through halls.
Into courtyards.
Down toward the lower districts.
Corruption.
The word won't stay contained.
Marcus steps closer. "You just split the pack."
"No," I say quietly. "It was already split."
Beatrice finally speaks. "It resonated," she says.
"With what?" Marcus asks.
She doesn't answer.
Before I can respond, one of the outer guards rushes in.
"Luna."
He's pale.
"There's a transmission at the border."
My stomach drops.
"From who?"
"Oakwood."
The room goes silent again.
Marcus swears under his breath.
"Put it through," I say.
A projection flickers into the air above the council floor.
Oakwood's seal rotates slowly.
Formal.
Official.
A calm voice fills the chamber.
