The door to the adjoining council chamber slammed shut behind them. The sound echoed like a hammer strike. No one spoke for a long moment. The air was thick — charged with rage and disbelief.
Finric stood at the head of the long oak table, palms pressed flat against the surface, head bowed as he fought to keep control of his temper. His aura simmered beneath his skin.
Jax leaned against the wall near the window, gavel still in his hand like he hadn't realized he'd brought it with him.
Cael paced a slow line across the room, jaw tight. Rex Redmoon had his arms folded, expression grim.
And Bloodmoon — he was already on his feet, pacing like a caged predator.
"She was under my crest," Bloodmoon growled. His fists clenched. "No woman under my banner was permitted to step foot in Shadowclaw's war camp, not without my direct clearance."
Jax pushed off the wall, eyes sharp. Marra, who stood near the doorway, arms crossed, her expression cold.
"Marra," he said evenly, "you were in Shadowclaw with Elle that day. I know that. Did you ever speak to Lisa?"
Marra's head tilted. "No. We have never spoken and I never saw her at that camp either. The only time I did see her was when I was bidding farewell to Grant, the day Bloodmoon departed from Shadowclaw."
Cael turned toward Fin. "That means Lisa lied. She couldn't have been sent by Bloodmoon or Marra. She had to be using something else."
"I want to know why both armed soldiers guarding our tent were missing. Why was that not filed and reported?" Fin said through gritted teeth.
"Agreed. Hunter is a fucking idiot. But his story checks. He wouldn't have known Nova was poisoned because we didn't tell Sterling until yesterday afternoon." Cael said.
Rex's voice was low. "They needed a mage to get this accomplished. There had to have been a portal—and likely some form of magic to get the guards away."
Jax nodded once. "My question is why did no one else see her? Where was her portal? Is Hunter compromised, even if it's not to his knowledge? There's a chance he is."
Bloodmoon swore under his breath, the sound low and vicious. "Mages aren't permitted in Bloodmoon. Not my law, but our elders'. It's upheld. If Meredith is caught colluding with one, that is punishment by death. Stupid girl."
"How did she know that Nova was drinking those calming tonics?" Finric asked. He sighed, face darkening. "There is someone on the inside who is aware and giving them this information. There's no other explanation for that. We kept that private."
Marra's brow furrowed, her voice quiet but sharp. "Where is Nova's mind when you need it… She learned how to make portals. She said they leave traces. Do you think it's possible there are traces in the camp we can look for?"
"Yes, I think that is a good call. I'll have Aeron start on that," Fin said.
Bloodmoon's jaw flexed. "Then Lisa Rellane was never delivering messages or performing service. She was sent as a weapon."
Cael exhaled, pacing again. "Fin… how long were you away from the tent?"
Fin thought for a moment. "A few hours, but I went back to check on her in between."
Cael nodded. "Whoever planned this had inside access to where the Queen was and timed it for when you'd be gone. That's not something an omega could pull alone."
Bloodmoon braced his hands on the table, voice quiet but full of venom. "If that woman used my crest to carry poison into your camp, Finric, then I swear before the Moon Goddess—she will be executed before dawn."
No one spoke.
Jax finally exhaled. "We have three witnesses that will need to be called again. If not here, I will be having a word with each. There's something we're missing."
Finric nodded, eyes still locked on the far wall. His voice was soft, but it cut like steel.
"Someone. There's someone we're not seeing."
The room fell silent again — the kind of silence that comes before blood.