A pair of Legionary guards nodded to Evinda and pushed the doors open. Beyond was a broad oval chamber, with the twelve Kyriliarchs of the Twilight Order seated behind a long, curving table. The opposite side of the room was lined with chairs, some of which were occupied by a variety of aides and functionaries. In the center of the room was an open space, at the focus of the Council’s attention, and Maya guessed this was where she was supposed to stand.

She swallowed hard as Evinda guided her forward. In addition to the Council, she guessed there were a dozen other centarchs in the room. Twenty-five of the most dangerous people in the world, the guardians of civilization, with enough power between them to level cities and topple mountains.

And I’m about to stick my finger right in their eye.

Evinda touched her shoulder, bringing her to a halt. Maya looked down the line of Kyriliarchs. They were arranged by faction, with Baselanthus and the five other Pragmatics on the left, and Nicomidi and the four Dogmatics on the right. In the center, facing Maya, sat Prodominus, idly scratching at his beard.

“I have brought Maya, agathios to Centarch Jaedia Suddenstorm, as instructed,” Evinda intoned.

“Yes, thank you,” Prodominus said. “You may go.”

Evinda bowed and backed away. There was a long moment of silence.

“Agathios Maya,” Nicomidi said. “As you know, this Council is in the midst of weighing the evidence against your master. We wish to ask you about your experiences with her, and to clarify certain matters in her reports that have been … obscured. Answer truthfully, and you have nothing to fear.”

Maya knew how that would go, if she let it. Jaedia hadn’t always been able to work through proper channels. Like when they’d cornered Hollis Plaguetouch at Bastion, she’d cut corners to get things done, greased palms, avoided notice. Maya had no doubt Nicomidi had assembled a battery of specific questions that, even if she answered honestly, would paint Jaedia as someone who operated outside the Order’s rules.

Fucking plague that.

“Are you ready to begin?” Nicomidi said.

Maya took a deep breath.

“No, Kyriliarch.”

Nicomidi blinked. A mutter ran through the room. Prodominus raised an eyebrow. Baselanthus, who had been studying something on the table in front of him, looked up suddenly.

“You want to wait, then?” Nicomidi said. “I understand if you are overwhelmed, but the Council’s time is valuable—”

“I do not wish to waste the Council’s time, Kyriliarch,” Maya said. “But I will not be answering your questions. I came before you today to say that I believe I am ready to assume my cognomen immediately.”

Nicomidi snorted. “That is hardly for you to decide. Nor is it relevant—”

“If the Council disagrees with me,” Maya said, “then I formally challenge the centarchate, as is my right under the codes of the Inheritance.”