LYRA'S POV
(THE COUNCIL CHAMBER)
"This is it."
The thought echoed across three fragmented states as I stood before the Council for what would likely be the last time. Maya on my left. Darius on my right. Behind us, the thirty-eight students who'd undergone intervention—living proof that voluntary submission worked, and living evidence that it hadn't been enough.
"The Council will now vote on Sanctuary Closure Measure 47-B," Elder Thane announced, his voice heavy with defeat he couldn't quite conceal. "Those in favor of immediate facility closure and mandatory relocation of all marked wolf populations to designated Council supervision facilities will vote affirmative. Those opposed will vote negatively."
I didn't need to hear the vote to know the outcome. Could feel it through dimensional states where anxiety manifested as certainty that twisted through fragmented consciousness like a knife.
The roll call began.
"Councilor Vera—Affirmative."
Of course.
