{"You call it a council, but I call it a cage made of tradition, draped in kelp and fear."}
Instead, I rose from my chair. "You both need to stay here. Out of sight. Out of trouble," I said, my voice firm, leaving no room for argument.
Caelan's brow furrowed. "You're leaving?"
"I have to." I walked to the window, drawing the curtain slightly to watch the sea in the distance. "Something is stirring in the Emerald Gulf. Something ancient and dangerous. I have kept the balance this long, but someone in the Council has broken the pact."
Fenris leaned forward, his voice edged in suspicion. "What kind of pact?"
I turned back to them slowly. "The kind that kept the deep slumbering and the lands above safe. The wards I set in both realms were meant to contain that power, warn me if anyone tampered with it. And someone has."
Caelan stood. "Then let us come with you—"
