The palace council chamber had finally emptied.
Most nobles had retreated to their private quarters, whispering nervously among themselves.
But not everyone had left.
Kael stood alone near the tall windows overlooking the capital.
The city lights flickered like distant stars beneath the night sky.
Normally the sight calmed him.
Tonight it didn't.
His mind replayed the events of the evening again and again.
The assassins.
The council's panic.
Selene's arrival.
And Aria.
Especially Aria.
The image of her standing in the corridor surrounded by collapsed assassins refused to leave his thoughts.
There had been no fear in her expression.
Only control.
A soft knock interrupted his thoughts.
"Enter."
The door opened quietly.
Lord Meridan stepped inside.
The older advisor looked exactly the same as always—calm, composed, calculating.
"You stayed," Meridan observed.
Kael didn't turn from the window.
"I had questions."
"I assumed you might."
Silence stretched for a moment.
Then Kael asked the most important one.
"What is the Null Division?"
Meridan didn't answer immediately.
Which was answer enough.
Kael finally turned.
"You were hoping I wouldn't find out."
Meridan folded his hands behind his back.
"It wasn't relevant before tonight."
"It is now."
The advisor studied him carefully.
"Yes."
Kael's voice hardened.
"Explain."
Meridan walked slowly across the room before speaking.
"Two centuries ago, the empire faced a crisis."
Kael waited.
"A bloodline emerged with abilities capable of manipulating atmospheric pressure and storm systems."
"Valens."
"Yes."
Kael's jaw tightened.
"And the council decided they were too dangerous to exist."
"Not immediately."
Meridan's tone remained calm.
"At first they attempted alliances, marriages, negotiations."
"And when that failed?"
"They created the Null Division."
Kael felt cold anger rise in his chest.
"Soldiers trained to kill people like Aria."
"Yes."
Silence filled the chamber.
Kael spoke slowly.
"And you knew this would happen if she awakened."
"Yes."
"Did you warn her?"
"No."
Kael's eyes flashed.
"Why not?"
Meridan met his gaze evenly.
"Because warnings often accelerate conflict."
Kael laughed once.
A harsh sound.
"I think the council already accelerated conflict when they tried to murder her."
Meridan didn't disagree.
"Yes."
Kael ran a hand through his hair.
"When will they arrive?"
Meridan hesitated.
Then answered.
"They're already here."
Kael froze.
"What?"
Meridan walked to the window beside him.
His gaze moved toward the palace gates far below.
"Three hours ago."
The prince's anger sharpened instantly.
"And you didn't think that information was important?"
"They came under sealed orders from the council."
"I am the crown prince."
"Yes."
"And they bypassed my authority."
"Yes."
Kael stared at him.
"You're remarkably calm about this."
Meridan's voice remained steady.
"The empire has always prioritized stability over protocol."
Kael turned away sharply.
"If they touch her—"
"They won't act immediately."
Kael frowned.
"Why?"
"Because they're studying her first."
The words felt worse somehow.
Kael looked back at him.
"Studying."
"Yes."
"The way hunters study prey."
Meridan didn't respond.
Kael walked across the chamber.
His boots echoed against the stone floor.
"Where are they?"
Meridan answered without hesitation.
"Eastern barracks."
Kael stopped.
"Near the garden wing."
"Yes."
Which meant they were dangerously close to where Aria and Selene had gone.
Kael's instincts sharpened instantly.
"You're worried."
Meridan observed the change immediately.
"Yes."
"You believe they'll move tonight."
Kael didn't answer.
Because he knew something Meridan didn't.
Aria rarely waited for enemies to make the first move.
—
Outside in the palace gardens, the night wind shifted suddenly.
Aria felt it immediately.
The air pressure changed subtly.
Someone new had entered the palace grounds.
Someone… wrong.
Selene noticed it too.
"You feel that."
Aria nodded slowly.
"Yes."
Selene looked toward the distant palace walls.
Her expression sharpened.
"They're faster than I expected."
"The Null Division?"
"Yes."
Aria flexed her fingers slightly.
The air around them stirred.
"How many?"
Selene listened carefully.
Then frowned.
"More than a few."
Aria exhaled slowly.
"That seems excessive."
Selene laughed softly.
"They're hunting the last Valen."
Her eyes glittered.
"Of course they brought reinforcements."
The garden wind picked up again.
Leaves skittered across the marble path.
Aria's power responded instinctively.
Selene watched the movement carefully.
"You're reacting already."
"I can feel them."
"How?"
Aria looked toward the palace walls.
"The air changes around them."
Selene raised an eyebrow.
"That's useful."
Aria nodded slightly.
"They're spreading out."
Selene's smile slowly returned.
"Well."
She straightened from the fountain.
"I suppose our peaceful conversation is ending."
Aria looked amused.
"You sound disappointed."
"I was enjoying myself."
The wind grew stronger again.
This time even the fountain water rippled.
Selene glanced upward.
"You're getting stronger."
"Probably."
"Try not to destroy the palace."
"No promises."
Footsteps suddenly echoed from the garden entrance.
Both women turned.
Several armored soldiers stepped into the moonlight.
Their armor was unlike the palace guard.
Black steel.
No insignias.
And each carried a strange weapon shaped like a spear crossed with a mechanical device.
Selene sighed quietly.
"Right on schedule."
The lead soldier stepped forward.
His voice was calm.
Cold.
"Aria Valen."
Aria tilted her head.
"That's me."
"You are requested to come with us."
"Requested?"
"Yes."
Selene laughed.
"That's the polite version of arrest."
The soldier ignored her.
Aria crossed her arms.
"And if I decline?"
The soldier raised his weapon slightly.
The device hummed faintly.
"Then we will proceed with containment."
Selene whispered softly beside her,
"They built those weapons to disrupt atmospheric manipulation."
Aria's eyes flickered slightly.
"Interesting."
The soldier spoke again.
"This is your final warning."
Aria looked at Selene briefly.
Then back at the soldiers.
Her voice was calm.
Almost curious.
"You really think you can contain a storm?"
The wind across the garden surged suddenly.
The trees bent sharply.
Moonlight flickered through fast-moving clouds above.
Selene stepped back slightly.
Not out of fear.
Out of excitement.
"Ah," she murmured.
"Now it begins."