Chapter 36 #2
“This Conclave stands at a crossroads,” he begins, his voice carrying across the chamber with practiced authority.
“Two security breaches under our jurisdiction. Two attempts on the life of a participant. We can no longer afford to operate under the assumption that these isolated incidents are merely coincidence.”
He pauses, letting the words settle.
“The first breach should have been our warning. We increased patrols, tightened protocols. Yet, tonight, four assassins infiltrated the masquerade.”
Cardinal Maria leans forward, her sharp eyes settling on me. “Lady Cyra. You were at the centre of both attacks. Walk us through tonight’s events.”
I stand, aware of every eye in the chamber. “Four assassins came at me from different directions during the ball.”
“And who intervened?” Cardinal Marcus asks.
“Agent Ren, Lord Castor, Lord Zevran.” I pause. “And Lord Lucien of Pluto.”
The room erupts into whispers. Several House leaders lean forward.
Cardinal Benedict’s expression hardens. “Lord Lucien intervened with shadow magic, is that correct? You’re certain it was him?”
“Yes.” I whisper.
“Where is Lord Lucien now?” Cardinal Maria’s voice sharpens.
“I don’t know. He left after the attack.”
Cardinal Benedict’s jaw tightens. “We attempted to detain him for questioning. He evaded our guards and seemingly disappeared.” He looks out at the assembled leaders, his voice rising slightly.
“The Lord of Pluto, a fallen kingdom, banished from participating in this Conclave … has infiltrated it. He has demonstrated the ability to bypass our security at will. And he appears to have taken a particular interest in Lady Cyra.”
The weight of his words settles over the chamber.
Cardinal Maria leans back in her seat. “We must ask ourselves what draws such violence to these halls. What presence among us invites chaos? First a mysterious defender who should not be here, then coordinated assassins … all circling one person.”
Astrid’s hand finds mine under the table, squeezing once.
“What exactly are you suggesting, Cardinals?” Isolde asks with dangerous calm.
“We’re suggesting,” Cardinal Maria replies coolly, “that certain magics, particularly untrained and uncontrolled, can attract forces beyond our understanding. Like a beacon in the dark.”
The room erupts into murmurs.
Zevran’s voice cuts through the noise. “With respect, Cardinals, if your guards failed twice in their own halls, perhaps the problem isn’t Lady Cyra, but your security. Particularly if an exiled lord can move freely through your impenetrable fortress.”
The temperature in the room drops several degrees. Cardinal Benedict’s expression remains neutral, but anger flickers in his eyes.
Isolde speaks up again. “Four coordinated assassins and an exiled lord moving undetected suggest significant planning, resources, and inside knowledge. That level of access points to a failure of leadership, not the actions of someone who’s been attacked twice.”
I feel the room’s energy change. Several House leaders nod slightly. Lord Evander’s drumming fingers still. Even Commander Kaelix sits up straighter.
Isolde meets my eyes briefly, and I see the message there. Follow this thread. Don’t let them make you defensive.
Lady Tavia raises a hand. “Emotions aside, we need data. Who hired the assassins? How did they bypass security? What were their objectives beyond elimination?” She looks directly at Cardinal Benedict.
“That is exactly why,” Cardinal Marcus chimes in, “effective immediately, all House residential wings will undergo temporary audits. Movement restrictions will remain in place until we’ve gathered more information.”
“Audits.” Lord Castor’s voice is flat. “You mean surveillance.”
“We mean security,” Cardinal Benedict replies. “For everyone’s protection.”
Lady Nerida speaks for the first time, her voice carrying that otherworldly quality that makes everyone listen. “Fear is a powerful tool, Cardinals. The more terrified we are, the tighter your leash becomes. Consider who benefits most from our division – from our distrust.”
The Cardinals exchange glances. Cardinal Maria’s lips press into a thin line.
“This inquiry is concluded,” Cardinal Benedict announces, his voice tight. “Audits begin tomorrow. All participants are advised to cooperate fully.” His gaze sweeps the room, lingering on me for a moment too long. “Dismissed.”
The House leaders rise slowly, conversations breaking out in low, urgent tones. Astrid’s hand slips from mine as I stand, my legs unsteady. She stays close, her presence a quiet anchor. Ren moves to my other side immediately, positioning herself between me and the crowd.
As we file toward the exit, Zevran falls into step beside us.
“Don’t let them get in your head,” he says quietly, his voice pitched for my ears alone. “The Cardinals are losing ground, and frightened authority is dangerous authority.”
“What should I do?”
“Stay visible. Keep making allies. Show them you’re not a threat – you’re a solution.” His grey eyes meet mine briefly. “And be careful.”
Before I can respond, Isolde intercepts us. She doesn’t stop walking, just matches our pace as we move through the corridor.
“Well handled,” she says quietly, her voice carrying only to our small group. “You didn’t take the bait.”
“Thanks to you,” I reply.
“Remember that strategy going forward.” She glances at me, dark eyes sharp. “They’ll keep trying to make you defensive, to make you apologize for existing. Don’t. Turn every accusation into a question about their failures instead.”
Astrid watches this exchange with interest, her watchful gaze moving between Isolde and me.
“The third trial is in two days’ time,” Isolde continues. “My intelligence networks have informed me that it isn’t what they’re claiming it to be. They’re not testing our ability to govern collectively – they’re creating conditions designed to ensure we fail.”
My stomach drops. “What do you mean?”
“My informant wasn’t able to get any specific details,” her voice is controlled but fury simmers underneath. “All I know is, they want us divided, fighting among ourselves, so they can step in and claim we’re unfit for self-governance.”
The implications crash over me. “So we know for certain that they’re sabotaging the Conclave.”
“They’ve been losing authority for years now.
The Houses have grown independent, resistant to Cardinal oversight.
” We slow our pace, keeping our voices loud enough for only our ears.
“This Conclave was supposed to restore order under their guidance. But if we actually unite and choose a leader without needing them, they lose what little power they have left.”
“So they’re manufacturing our failure,” I say quietly.
“Precisely.” Isolde turns back to us. “We don’t know how, exactly … but the key is recognizing their trap before you step into it.”
“Will anyone believe us, if we accuse the Cardinals of this?”
Isolde goes quiet for a moment. “There is one house leader who will believe us.”
The thought hits me immediately.
Commander Kaelix.
Isolde sees the realization on my face and nods. “Kaelix has been pushing against Cardinal authority longer than any of us. If they agree to work with you, they’ll be your strongest ally.”
“And your most radical one,” Astrid adds carefully.
“Perhaps,” Isolde concedes. “But radical might be exactly what we need right now. The Cardinals are counting on us being too cautious, too concerned with propriety to challenge their framework directly. Commander Kaelix has no such inhibitions.”
I stand, energy flooding through me despite the exhaustion. This is it. The opportunity I’ve been waiting for – a chance to prove the system itself is broken, not just corrupt but fundamentally designed to maintain the Cardinals’ control.
“How do I approach them without it looking suspicious?” I ask. “This lockdown will make private meetings nearly impossible.”
“The staging area before the trial,” Isolde says. “There will be chaos, last-minute preparations. Use that cover. Pull Kaelix aside for what looks like a strategic discussion.”
“And if they don’t believe me?”
“They will.” Isolde’s smile is sharp. “Because Commander Kaelix has always known the Cardinals were the problem.”