CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
The message arrived on a cold morning, three weeks after the siege.
It came from the Vanguard Council—the governing body that oversaw all Vanguard compounds, the leaders who'd been silent since the Veil's collapse. Olivia was summoned to a meeting, along with Sable and the Archon of the Covens.
"This is unprecedented," Sable said, as they prepared for the journey. "The Council hasn't convened since the collapse. They've been scattered, isolated, focused on their own survival."
"Why now?" Olivia asked.
"Because of you. Because of what you did. Closing the breach, healing the tree, discovering the Thornwood connection—they want to meet the person who's been changing the rules."
The Council met in a converted bunker beneath the ruins of Old Capitol—a massive underground complex that had survived the collapse relatively intact. The chamber was circular, lit by essence-lamps, with a round table at the centre where twelve figures sat.
Olivia recognized some from intelligence briefings. General Korva, the Vanguard's highest-ranking officer. Director Hale, who oversaw logistics and supply. Others she didn't know—a Coven representative, a scientist, a civilian leader from one of the larger enclaves.
"Commander Thornwood," General Korva said. She was a severe woman in her sixties, her gray hair cut militarily short, her eyes sharp and evaluating. "We've heard a great deal about you."
"Some of it might even be true," Olivia replied.
A few chuckles around the table. Korva's lips twitched.
"Your actions have been... remarkable. Healing the World-Tree. Closing a Sovereign-forced breach. Building a team that operates with unprecedented effectiveness. The Council is impressed."
"Thank you."
"We're also concerned." Korva leaned forward. "Your power—this Thornwood gift—is unlike anything we've encountered. It operates outside our understanding. Some on this Council believe it makes you a threat."
"A threat to what?"
"To stability. To control. To the careful balance we've built between the Vanguard, the Covens, and the civilian population." Korva's gaze was unflinching. "Power without oversight is dangerous, Commander. You understand that."
Olivia felt anger rise, but she controlled it. "I understand that I didn't ask for this power. I didn't want it. But the world gave it to me, and I'm using it to protect people. If that makes me a threat to your control, maybe your control needs to change."
Silence. Then the civilian leader—a heavyset man named Brenner—laughed. "She's got spirit. I like her."
"Spirit doesn't substitute for accountability," Director Hale said.
"And accountability doesn't substitute for results," Sable interjected. "Commander Thornwood has saved thousands of lives. Closed breaches. Destroyed enemies. Built alliances. What has your accountability produced, Director?"
Hale reddened. "I won't be spoken to like that by a field commander—"
"Enough." Korva raised a hand. "We're not here to argue. We're here to decide."
"Decide what?" Olivia asked.
"How to proceed. The Sovereign will return.
The Veil is healing but not healed. And we need a strategy that goes beyond survival.
" Korva's eyes met Olivia's. "The Council proposes a joint operation.
Vanguard, Covens, and Thornwood. Working together to find the Sovereign's true form and destroy it before it can manifest again. "
"That's suicide," Hale said. "We don't know where it is, what it is, or how to kill it."
"We know someone who can find it." Korva looked at Olivia. "Your connection to the World-Tree lets you sense Veil disturbances. If the Sovereign is preparing to manifest, you'll feel it."
"And if I find it?"
"Then we send everything we have. Every fighter, every weapon, every ounce of power. One strike, all or nothing."
Olivia looked at Sable, at the Archon, at the faces around the table. Some hopeful. Some afraid. Some calculating.
"I need to consult my team. My father. The people this decision affects."
"You have one week," Korva said. "After that, we decide with or without you."