“We have searched the area,” one of the hooded Mageguard replies. “There is none.”

Sel shakes his head. “It is known that isels do not work together without an uchel leading them—”

“And for many years it was ‘known’ that goruchel shapeshifters were extinct,” Erebus counters. “Yet one infiltrated this chapter not six months ago.”

Sel and I both stiffen at the mention of Rhaz. Sel never thought goruchels were extinct. In fact, he alone suspected that a goruchel could be among us, studying us and waiting. His one mistake was thinking it was me.

Protest sparks on my lips, and Sel clears his throat unnecessarily loudly. A clear message to smother that spark before it becomes words. I grit my teeth. Fine.

Erebus continues. “If we limit our hunt to only what is known, the unknown will soon hunt us.” He tsks. “And as for your earlier declaration, are you quite sure you eliminated the full legion?”

Sel raises his chin. “I am.”

“I see.” The Seneschal’s glittering eyes slide to William. “Scion Sitterson of the Line of Gawain, I presume?”

“Yes.” William walks forward. “Good evening, Seneschal Varelian. Guards.” He nods to the silent Merlins, faces still hidden in shadow. “We were not expecting to meet a member of the Council tonight.”

“For security reasons, we do not broadcast our movements,” Erebus says. “I’m sure you understand.” He tilts his head, watching the bright emerald flicker of Gawain in William’s eyes. “I have long been fascinated by the dueling inheritances of the Line of Gawain. The power to crush an opponent’s bones in one hand and the power to heal in another. Poetic.”

William’s face is unreadable. “That is a word one could use.”

“Diplomacy and tact.” A smile spreads across Erebus’s full mouth. His canines are long—a sign of his age and power as a Merlin. Just like Isaac’s. “I have found that these are also inheritances of your Line.”

William dips his chin. “My father would agree with you.”

“If the area is secure and the niceties are concluded,” Sel says impatiently, “I will retrieve the Crown Scion from her… tree.”

When the Seneschal finally tilts his head upward to find me overhead, the full force of his gaze alone nearly knocks me off the branch. Erebus had already noticed me, of course. He chose to save my greeting for last.

A pause. The air crackles with anticipation. Silent to human ears, but at this point I’m certain every Merlin in this damn field can hear my heart racing. “No, you will not,” Erebus says mildly.

Sel’s head jerks up. “Excuse me?”

Erebus nods to Douglas. “Guard Douglas, could you please?”