Chapter 5 Professor Selene Marris
FIVE
PROFESSOR SELENE MARRIS
The Council chamber is cold. Whether it’s the stone, the air wards, or the mood in the room, Selene isn’t sure.
What she is sure of is that none of them understand what they’re talking about.
“She is dangerous,” Councilor Rennic says, his voice clipped and cold as the gleaming chain of silver across his robe. “The Veil is still unstable. We need to bind her the moment she wakes—before she tears a hole through this world like she nearly did at the dance.”
“She didn’t tear the Veil,” Selene snaps before she can help it. “She sealed it—while unconscious, bleeding, and untrained. Without her, we’d have a breach the size of the East Tower and no survivors. This wasn’t done by her.”
Veyne clears his throat.
The Headmaster’s tone is calm, diplomatic even. “We don’t disagree on her value, Professor Marris. But the truth is…her magic isn’t contained. Not fully. The Veil responds to her in a way that no one here predicted. That alone is enough to raise concern.”
“Concern isn’t justification,” Selene says, standing straighter. “She’s not a threat. She’s a student. One we failed to protect, and now we want to punish her for surviving? For saving the school?”
“You’re not seeing clearly,” Veyne replies, voice quieter now. “You care about her. I do too. That’s why I believe we need to limit the damage before she becomes the target of something worse.”
Councilor Vemir raises a brow. “If she isn’t already.”
A murmur passes around the table.
Selene’s hands curl into fists.
They don’t see Lindsay. They see a problem. A variable they can’t control.
Veyne sighs and turns to the panel of cloaked councilors. “Motion to bind her powers temporarily. Until we can determine the depth and origin of her connection to the Veil.”
Selene opens her mouth to speak—but the vote is already being called.
One by one, hands raise.
Five. Six. Seven.
The motion passes.
Selene lowers her gaze, fury simmering under her skin. “You’re making a mistake. This vote should wait for the full council to be in attendance.”
“She’s a girl who nearly broke a realm,” Rennic says flatly. “Mistakes have already been made.”