The room was quiet for a moment.
Then Seraphine's assistant knocked and entered.
He crossed to Seraphine and handed her a document without speaking.
Seraphine opened it and started reading it.
Her expression didn't change. But something in her went very still.
She set the document on the table.
"Malachai has filed the Conclave Provision," she said.
Eve looked at the document. Then at Seraphine. "What is that."
"An old law," Seraphine said. "Predates the faction system. A claimant to the throne can be required to demonstrate supernatural capability before the full Conclave before the formal hearing proceeds." A pause. "Publicly. Live. No documentation. No testimony." She held Eve's gaze. "Proof of power. In person."
"She can refuse," Damian said immediately.
"If she refuses it reads as concealment," Seraphine said. "On record. Before the hearing even begins."
Eve looked at the document on the table.
"When," she said.
