Lady Valerius, standing a step behind, observed Ezra, with her sharp eyes studying him with the same gaze, like a puzzle to be solved. "Your curiosity, or lack thereof, is irrelevant, Mr. Noctis," she said, her voice crisp and clear. Unlike Daphne, she didn’t have any of that provocative warmth in her voice.
Where Daphne was smooth and probing, Valerius was sharp and surgical, blunt in her delivery and colder in her intent. But even she couldn’t hide the hot interest behind her gaze when she looked at Ezra.
"The Council requires answers. We will ascertain the cause, with or without your cooperation." Her tone was not threatening but procedural, her gaze fixed on him as it assessed Ezra’s response, searching for cracks in his composure.
Sage bristled at that statement, her violet eyes flashing as she moved to Ezra’s side, her hand resting possessively on his arm. "Back off, lady. He’s not your science project."
Lysara observed the escalating tension.
"Let’s calm down, everyone," she said, her voice cutting through the room like a blade. "The Council will decide his fate based on evidence, not emotions."
"The data stick from Agent Arya confirms it was self-defense," Lady Valerius said, her voice smooth but devoid of reassurance. "But after reviewing the results from Dr. Virellith’s analysis, one thing is clear, his survival still demands scrutiny. The protocol requires it. Only a fool would grant him freedom without first determining whether he’s a threat."
"While we did some tests, we only had more questions than answers." Daphne’s smile widened, her eyes never leaving Ezra. "The neural scans show an adaptive pattern unlike anything we’ve seen. He’s not just resisting the Fade—he’s evolving past it. That’s not a gift, it’s a potential threat... or an opportunity."
Ezra sighed. What if this wasn’t meant to be understood? Did that ever cross their minds?
Ysmeine turned to Lysara, her voice steady but firm. "Threat or not, I think his sister—Kayla Noctis—will have something to say about you trying to lock up her brother."
The room fell dead silent, like someone had hit pause on a holo-vid.
Lysara’s pale gray eyes widened. Kayla Noctis wasn’t just a name—she was a legend in the War-Lady Force. Her reputation alone was enough to freeze any room.
Daphne’s sly smile vanished. Her violet eyes flicked to Ysmeine like she’d been smacked with a data pad. She tried to act calm, but her lip twitched. "Well, that’s... new," she muttered, the usual purr gone from her voice.
Even Lady Valerius, who never looked rattled, arched a brow. Clearly, she hadn’t seen that coming either.
"Zaeryn Noctis," Lysara said slowly, turning back to Ezra. "That explains why your last name felt familiar."
Ezra said nothing. Because he really didn’t like that Ysmeine was using Kayla’s name to get him out of this situation.
Lysara paused, then added, "If you really are Kayla’s sibling, then things just got a lot more complicated."
"Not only are you an anomaly, but your sister is also one of the strongest War-Ladys in existence?" Daphne added."you’re not just a precedent anymore. You’re a political bomb we can’t ignore."
Sage grinned, thoroughly enjoying the flicker of hesitation crossing the council’s faces. Finally, they had something to fear.
"That’s right," she said. "If anything happens to him, you’ll have to answer to his sister, who just happens to be a Tier-One War-Lady."
A hush fell.
Lysara let the silence stretch, her pale gray eyes sweeping the room like a sword sizing up its next cut.
Ysmeine’s gaze shifted thoughtfully to Ezra. Then, she spoke.
"There’s more. Something I shouldn’t be sharing with anyone... because it’s classified. But if his freedom depends on it, then I have no choice."
That got Lysara’s full attention. She turned, brows raised slightly, surprised. Her eyes flicked back to Ezra, suddenly re-evaluating him. Who exactly was this boy?
Daphne blinked, clearly intrigued. She tilted her head, then purred, "Wait—there’s more? What next? Are you going to tell us that he can also shoot lightning from his eyes and fingers like a Tier-Three War-Lady?"
Ezra opened his mouth to reply, but Lysara cut in, sharp and cold:
"Everyone—out."
The command wasn’t shouted, but it rang through the room like a dropped blade.
Even Daphne blinked in surprise.
"I need a private word with Lady Valerius and Ms. Ysmeine," Lysara added, her gaze locking on Ezra. "That includes you, Zaeryn."
Ezra frowned. "Me too?"
Lysara nodded once, "You’ll be escorted to a waiting chamber."
Daphne looked as if she were about to object again, but Lysara shut her down with a simple glance. "Doctor Virellith, you’ll be called when your expertise is needed—not before."
Daphne’s jaw clenched, a hint of irritation in her gaze, but she said nothing. She turned with stiff elegance and walked out, the heels of her boots clicking like an exclamation point behind her.
Sage glanced at Ysmeine, clearly bristling. "Do you need us to stay "
"I’ll handle it," Ysmeine replied, calm but firm.
Ezra gave her a look, half-questioning, half-concerned, but she offered a small nod that said, trust me. He was concerned because he knew what she was about to tell those two. And if it wasn’t kept a secret it could really put him in danger.
Mireille and Arya stepped forward. "This way."
Ezra let out a sigh but followed, pausing at the door to glance over his shoulder. All three women, Lysara, Ysmeine, and Lady Valerius, were already turning toward one another, something silent and weighty settling between them.
The door slid shut behind Ezra with a soft hiss.
Silence settled.
Lysara moved first, pacing slowly toward the windows, her back turned as she spoke with quiet finality.
"Well... now we can speak openly."
Lady Valerius remained still, her eyes on Ysmeine, head tilting just slightly.
Her voice came, smooth and level—like someone drafting a report, not starting an argument.
"You should have disclosed this earlier. We came close to making a decision we wouldn’t be able to undo."
"You have no idea." Ysmeine spoke, "Kayla Noctis won’t be the only person you will have to worry about if anything happens to him." She warned.