Alaf took a deep breath.
He was Kodah's son, Kun's dead brother.
Part of the council members were family.
Alaf had helped take his father down, but after that, tried to live a quiet life. Didn't work. He came back.
And with only a year since his return, he still had to prove himself.
To the council, Alaf was trouble, the kind you call when you want trouble.
He adjusted his suit.
Vitória walked into the room looking flawless. Her high heels clicked against the marble floor as she approached Alaf, who stood there with his arms crossed, faking boredom.
— You could at least pretend to be happy to see me — Vitória said, her smile as sharp as a knife. — After all, we're civilized women.
— Man. — he corrected. — Not civilized, just quiet. I don't scream when I see a snake — that's all.
Vitória chuckled and brushed the insult off.
— Let's get to the point. When are you handing over the woman and the child?
Alaf kept his face blank.
— If you lay a finger on that child...
