Eldric smiled. "I'd say the ball's in your court, but the truth is your balls are in my fist."
He snapped his folder closed dramatically and added, "I'll be outside."
Corvin Thane rose from his chair, tone clipped. "Gamma Thorne, if I may, I need a moment with my clients. Alone."
As he exited, his footsteps echoed with deliberate calm — the sound of a man certain the next act belonged to him.
Jax's jaw flexed.
Corvin's tone was even but firm. "Gamma, if you stay, the defense can call a mistrial. They'll argue judicial interference."
After a long pause, Jax nodded once — hard. He shoved away from the table and stalked toward the door, stopping just before leaving.
The door shut behind him with a heavy thud.
For a few seconds, no one spoke. The tension was almost tactile — a low hum in the air.
"There were some valid points we should discuss." Corvin said.
"We could call for a mistrial. Two of the jurors, one trained under Orion, the other with Helga. We could argue jury compromise. But he wouldn't have told us that if he didn't plan that as a backup. He gave us that information for a reason. And after the defense profiling them like that in open discussion—"
He shook his head.
Cael leaned against the edge of the table. "Eldric Vaelor is good. Too good. He has the room eating from his hand and he hasn't even put on the final witnesses yet."
Marra crossed her arms. "He's not wrong about the jury either. Half of them still think this is a family feud, not an act of war. I've been studying them. I think we'd have a little under half if we continued. Maybe we could tip it to a tie and Jax could break the tie."
Corvin gave a curt nod. "He's clever — he's playing both sides. If he gets the jury to believe the Queen overreached, the defense walks, and the Crown looks like a pack of fools."
Finric spoke quietly. "There's a bigger risk if they walk."
Bloodmoon's head snapped up. "You mean the Emberhides?"
Finric nodded once. "If we let them go — even under exile — they can run straight to Ashbane. They know our borders, supply chains, and prison infrastructure."
Cael countered, "If they're convicted and serve time, the result's the same. They'll get out eventually, and with enough time, Ashbane will still find a way to reach them. At least exile keeps them away from our people."
"The only way we mitigate risk, is by their guilty conviction and execution." Fin said.
Elle spoke for the first time, "Nova's beautiful mind right now would be looking at this like a puzzle. She would tell us to go back to the drawing board for a second."
Everyone turned to look at Elle.
"What needs to happen to have the jury tip in our favor? We need treason to be proven."
"With Cael and I that can't be proven. However, it can be proven between Nova and Jax. He claimed her at the council meeting. Half of the jury was present in that meeting. There is no denying that happened."
"Yes, but they were all reluctant to allow it when it did happen. We are assuming they will acknowledge it." Fin said.
"There is documentation for every meeting with all twelve elders. They agreed at the end to allow it. So it was documented." Elle said.
"They all bowed so low their foreheads touched the floor a week ago during her luna ceremony. They are senile and probably forgot. What we need is Nova to wake up and come to the trial. Have all of them see what happened." Marra said.
"She's right." Elle said.
"Therein lies what he is afraid of." Corvin said.
"I'm confident we'll get to the bottom of these poisonings — with or without his cooperation," Cael said. "But I'd rather eliminate every uncertainty. If he knows of a suspect and is withholding that information under the guise of client confidentiality, isn't that his act of treason? Because from where I'm standing, concealing a conspirator against the Crown is no different than aiding them."
Rex spoke then, his voice a low rumble. "There's another problem. If Meredith's guilt becomes public, Alpha Bloodmoon will have no choice but to act. And the moment he does, Ashbane will see it as an act of war."
Bloodmoon's jaw tightened, voice cutting through the room like a blade. "You think I don't know that? If she's proven guilty, there will be consequences. She may wear my crest, but she will answer to my sword. I will not cower out of fear when a murderer hides under my roof. And I'll be damned before I let her become the mother of my grandchildren."
Marra's tone was quiet but sharp. "And if Riven retaliates, that means two fronts. Shadowclaw and Bloodmoon both in his crosshairs."
Finric's eyes darkened. "I'm not ruling out though keeping it private. Give it no more public attention of sympathy. Just her, the evidence, and the blade that ends it."
Corvin nodded slowly. "Then we're agreed. The plea deal proceeds and the testimony naming Meredith happens in closed council. Only Crown counsel, the defense, and the magistrate present. No jury. No gallery."
"Wait…" Elle said. "Just a gut feeling… could I check to see if Nova is awake?"
Fin nodded, mindlinking Aeron and Elias.
Fin: Aeron, Elias, are you still in the Verran Tribunal?
Aeron: Yes, Alpha. This woman is trying to take my seat. Absolutely not.
Fin: Come to the back chambers. It's urgent.
Aeron: On my way.
Elias: Yes. I need to check on Nova.
Finric looked up at the ceiling — a slow breath in, steady exhale out. "If she's awake, will her presence here be enough to tip the jury?"
He turned to Corvin. "You'll draft the terms. Commutation to exile upon full disclosure of collusion and corroborated evidence. If she's awake, let's keep that as a backup. We call another recess if we feel it's not tipping in our favor."
Corvin nodded briskly. "I'll have it done within the hour."
Bloodmoon's voice was a blade.
"If Meredith Ashbane is named… she dies before dawn."
Silence hit like a hammer.