Rumors traveled fast, and a host of orcish and dwarven dignitaries waylaid us en route to the council hall. Before the chief, thane, or myself had a chance to exchange more than curt farewells, the pair were swept away.

“We must talk later,” Lorn called over his shoulder. “The council will meet in the morning. Make sure you are there.”

“I will,” I shouted back before he disappeared from sight.

“Still creating a stir wherever you go, I see,” a quiet voice said from behind.

I turned around. Despite the crowds filling the corridor, everyone was giving me—or rather Ghost—a wide berth, and I picked Elron out easily. He was the only one who’d dared the empty space around us. “Elron,” I greeted.

“And what’s this?” the marshal asked, sizing up Ghost.

“She is my… companion. And she can understand everything you say.” In an aside to Ghost, I added, “Perhaps, it’s time we hung a collar around your neck. I’m getting drearily tired of explaining all that.”

Not unsurprisingly, Ghost didn’t dignify my comment with a response.

“Ah. I see,” Elron said, walking closer. “And what is she?”

“A pyre wolf,” I replied blandly, knowing full well the term would mean little to him.

Elron’s lips curved upward. “Still playing your cards close, Taim?”

“Always,” I said with a grin.

Striding forward, the marshal knelt before Ghost, showing an impressive lack of fear. “Does she have a name?”

“You can call her Ghost.”

Elron stretched out his arm. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ghost.”

For a moment, I was afraid the pyre wolf was going to lick him—Ghost huffed disdainfully as she caught the stray thought—but instead, she stuck out her paw and placed it in Elron’s waiting hand.

The marshal shook the paw gravely, his sharp intake of breath the only sign he’d noticed what I half-hoped wouldn’t. Sighing, I waited for the inevitable question.

“She is of stygian descent?” Elron asked as he rose to his feet.

“Only partly,” I hedged.

A troubled look crossed Elron’s face.

“Ghost can be trusted,” I added. “As much as I can be.”

The marshal pursed his lips then nodded sharply, dismissing the matter. “I will take your word for it.” He leaned forward. “Is it true, then? Is Castor really dead?”

I smiled. I had been wondering when he’d get around to asking. “He is—as are the other fifty possessed under his command.”

The marshal stepped back, his eyes dancing with genuine joy. “Then it’s done,” he breathed. “We’ve won.”

I clasped his hand. “Yes, we have, my friend. New Haven is free at last.”

✵ ✵ ✵

I was ushered away then, and tired from the day’s exertions, I did not protest as the marshal escorted me to one of the many vacant rooms in the fortress.

“How did things go on your end?” I asked as we passed through one of the quieter fortress corridors.

“As well as could be expected,” Elron replied. “There were some casualties, but once they realized no help was forthcoming many of the enemy officers surrendered without a fight. I’ve regained full control of the army.”

“Good. What about the First’s supporters? Do you have them all in custody?”

He hesitated. “Only some,” he admitted. “Many died during the fighting. And others are… problematic.”

“Problematic?” I asked sharply. “Problematic, how?”

“They come from prominent families and with no clear evidence of wrongdoing on their part—” he shrugged—“their fate will be for the council to decide.”

I frowned, but nodded, understanding his predicament. “What about Sienna?”

“Her, we have,” he said with satisfaction as we came to a stop before an ornate door. “This is you.”

“Fancy,” I remarked.

He smiled. “Nothing but the best for the savior of New Haven.”

I grunted. “I’ll see you in the morning?”

He nodded. “First thing. The council meets then.” He pushed open the door. “Good night, Taim.”

“Good night, marshal,” I bade and entered the room with Ghost in tow. Turning around, I studied my new quarters. Fancy was an understatement. It was downright sumptuous.

“Well, Ghost,” I said, stifling a yawn. “I’d say we’ve earned it.” I turned to face her. “Wouldn’t you?”

But the pyre wolf was already asleep, stretched out across the full length of the bed.

I shook my head ruefully—it seemed my snide comments from earlier were not going to go unpunished. Unrolling a sleep sack, I lay down on the floor.

It had been a long day, and while much of it had not turned out as I’d anticipated, Ghost and I could be proud of what we had achieved.

Smiling contentedly, I drifted off to sleep.

✵ ✵ ✵

I awoke to a stinging sensation on my cheek. Opening my eyes, I glared at my companion. She’d licked me.

“Oow,” I complained, rubbing furiously at the burned patch of skin. “That hurt.”

Ghost was unrepentant. “Morning, Prime,” she said brightly. “It’s time we got going.”

“It’s too early,” I objected. “Let me sleep for another—”

“It’s past noon,” Ghost interjected.

I blinked. “It can’t be. Elron would’ve—”

“The marshal has come and gone twice already.”

I sat up. “Twice? Why didn’t you wake me?”

She shook her shoulders in a lupine version of a shrug. “You were exhausted and needed sleep.”

“Then why wake me now?”

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“Because you’ve slept enough,” she retorted, and before I could protest added, “And because the marshal is back again.”

Right on cue, a knock sounded on the door. “Taim? Are you awake? It’s Elron. We need to get going.”

Sighing, I rose to my feet. “Coming,” I called. “Be there in a minute.”

A pause. “You better hurry. The council is already in session.”

✵ ✵ ✵

Thirty minutes later, Elron and I were outside the council chamber and staring at its new doors—doors that had been conspicuously reinforced after my last memorable visit.

“Are you ready?” the marshal asked, looking me over.

I nodded. My disguise as Taim was back in place and my thoughts fresh and sharp. Ghost had been right; I’d needed to sleep.

Elron glanced to my left and shifted uncomfortably. “It might be better if…”

“She’s coming with me,” I said firmly before he could complete the thought. Ghost had spent long enough as a disembodied spirit and now that the New Haveners knew about her, I saw no reason to hide her existence from them.

“Alright,” Elron conceded. “But some on the council may not take kindly to her presence.” He turned to the guards. “Let us through.”

Wordlessly, the pair swept aside the doors and gestured us forward. Following on the marshal’s heels, Ghost and I entered the chamber.

The council hall itself had not changed in the intervening period. Magelights hung from the rafters and guards lined the walls, and once more I found myself facing the council across a large oak table.

This time, though, only three of the four seats were occupied.

Lorn and Stormhammer rose at my entrance, the third figure—a human—did not. It was not Sienna, which did not surprise me. I expected the high lord—or was that former high lord?—had lost her place on the council.

This must be the new human representative, I thought, studying the heavy-set man curiously. There was no warmth in his gaze and his clothes were even more ornate than Sienna’s had been.

“Welcome, Taim,” Lorn greeted warmly. “I trust you slept well?”

“I did, and my apologies for arriving late. I overslept.”

Stormhammer grunted. “You missed nothing. Just a whole lot of hot air and pointless arguments,” he said with a glare in the direction of the seated human.

The man ignored him, his eyes fixed on Ghost. “What is that animal doing here?” Waving a jewel-ladened hand, he gestured the guards forward. “Get it out!”

“Who is that fool?” Ghost asked, baring her teeth.

My attention on the soldiers, I didn’t answer. Many shifted uncertainly and a few fingered their weapons, but before any could try fulfilling the new councilor’s order, Elron waved them back and they settled down.

“Ghost stays,” Stormhammer growled.

The human stared at him incredulously. “Ghost? It has a name?”

“The pyre wolf is a friend,” Lorn said. “If not for her and Taim, we’d still be stuck in the possessed prison.”

The human’s lips compressed, and I got the distinct impression he thought that would’ve been a good thing.

“Do we need to put the matter to a vote?” Lorn asked coldly, perhaps sensing the same thing.

“You’ll lose,” Stormhammer added—somewhat gleefully I thought.

The human’s mouth twisted sourly. “Very well. It can stay.”

My eyes narrowed, having had about enough of the man’s insults but before I could say anything, Elron spoke up. “Perhaps some introductions are in order, high lord? I don’t believe you and Taim have met.”

“Yes, yes, that’s true,” the human said. Leaning back in his chair, he offered what was patently a false smile. “I’m High lord Carnien, the new human councilor and successor of our dearly departed Sienna.”

I didn’t return the greeting. “What happened to Sienna?” I asked bluntly.

“She was killed last night,” Elron said.

“Murdered, marshal, not killed,” Carnien said, stressing the word. “Are you finally ready to deliver your report on the investigation?”

Placing his arms behind his back, Elron pressed his hands together. “The findings are… inconclusive.”

“Inconclusive,” Carnien crowed. “How predictable!”

My gaze flitted between the two men. “What investigation and why is there one?” I asked.

“Sienna died after her arrest while in the custody of my men,” Elron answered.

Carnien slapped the palm of his hand down on the table. “Again, with the euphemisms, marshal. She didn’t just die, she was murdered. And right now, the list of suspects isn’t all that long.”

Elron stiffened. “It wasn’t any of my men.”

“Well, someone killed her,” Carnien retorted. “If it was a mysterious third party that did the deed—as you’ve been insisting all along—why have we seen no evidence of them? Is it because you haven’t been able to find them or because there is no one to be found? One makes you incompetent, the other complicit.”

For a rare moment, the marshal’s control slipped and unbridled rage shone in his eyes.

“That’s enough, Carnien,” Lorn said sharply. “No one here is accusing the marshal.”

“Well, someone should,” the high lord spat. “Like I said before, he is unfit for Cilia’s seat. The position should go to Minakawa!”

It took me a moment to parse Carnien’s words and when I did, I turned to Elron. “You are going to be the new First?” I asked in a tone too low to carry to the councilors. Not that they would have noticed anyway. Carnien’s words had sparked another argument between the three.

“Not by choice,” Elron replied. “And not if Carnien has any say in the matter.” He glanced at me sideways. “After some of the dark elf families nominated Minakawa, I had no choice but to put forward my own name as well. There is no way that snake can be allowed onto the council.”

I couldn’t agree more. “But I don’t understand. Why is Minakawa even alive?”

Elron snorted. “The coward was one of the first to surrender. He switched allegiance the moment he heard Cilia was dead.”

My lips turned down. I’d woken up this morning, reinvigorated, and expecting to spend the day in tough—but fair—negotiations with the council. I’d already secured Lorn’s and Stormhammer’s commitment when it came to the one thousand soldiers, but there was so much more New Haven had to offer House Wolf—and I, them—and I’d been looking forward to the opportunity of discussing matters with the council.

Instead, I’d turned up to witness another power struggle.

Because that was all this was—a gambit by Carnien, Minakawa, and their allies to take over the council.

“And him!” Carnien suddenly shouted. Glancing up, I saw the councilor’s venomous gaze fixed on me. “By your precious marshal’s own admission, he assassinated the First. What is he doing free? He should be languishing in a cell, not walking these hallowed halls!”

I laughed.

I couldn’t help it. He can’t be serious, can he? Surely, not even the human high lord was daft enough to believe he had any chance of throwing me in prison?

Stormhammer pounded the table with two closed fists. “Enough!” he roared. “We’ve listened to enough of your damnable nonsense for one day, Carnien. No one is imprisoning Taim. Nor will Lorn or I disallow the marshal’s nomination. His candidacy stays. Now, I’ll ask you for the last time, will you accede to Elron’s confirmation as First?”

The high lord stared at the thane, drawing out the moment. “No,” he said succinctly.

The dwarf’s face grew red, and he flexed his hands. “Why, you miserable, no-good, misbegotten…” The thane continued to spew insults, but he did no more than that and despite his clear desire to throttle the life out of the other councilor, he made no move toward him.

Carnien jumped to his feet. “I will not be spoken to like that, you pompous fool!”

Sighing, I turned back to Elron as the councilors became embroiled in another argument. “Why do Lorn and Stormhammer need him to agree? Can’t they overrule him and confirm you as First anyway?”

The marshal shook his head. “When it comes to the appointment of new councilors, the vote must be unanimous. I can’t be confirmed as First without the support of all the existing councilors. What’s more, until the council is complete again, no other matter can be brought before it.”

“Then why in hells did Lorn and Stormhammer confirm him as the new high lord?” I asked in frustration.

Elron’s expression grew pained. “Because while it is up to the council to confirm a councilor, it is the city’s families that decides the candidates. The human families put only one candidate forward—Carnien. In this case, both tradition and law dictate the council adhere to their decision.” He shrugged. “Lorn and Stormhammer had no choice but to confirm Carnien.”

“I see,” I muttered. “And I’m guessing both Carnien and Minakawa are cut from the same cloth?

“If you mean, are they both fools who would do anything for power, including going to bed with the possessed, then, yes, they are.”

“Hmm.” Bowing my head, I rubbed at my temples, finally understanding the full scope of the predicament facing the council.

“In fact,” Elron mused, “I’m fairly certain it was Carnien who had Sienna killed. He always wanted her seat. His impatience must’ve got the better of him. He shook his head. “The fool. If he only waited, the seat would’ve been his anyway after she was convicted and deposed.”

I looked up. “How sure are you of that?” I asked sharply.

Elron glanced at me. “Of what?”

“That Carnien had Sienna killed.”

“As sure as I can be without proof. Why?”

I ignored the question. “Are you willing to bet your council seat on it?”

The marshal hesitated, then nodded curtly. “I am.”

“Good,” I murmured. “Don’t let the guards interfere.”

He frowned. “Interfere with what?”

I didn’t answer. He would find out soon enough. Striding forward, I wrapped my right hand around ebonheart’s hilt, and even through the councilor’s heated conversation, the hiss of drawn steel was unmistakable.