Ava
I fidgeted nervously in my seat at the long council table, my fingers absentmindedly tracing the lines in the wood. Across from me, the five vacant chairs meant for the Elders seemed to loom larger and more imposing with each passing second. Chris sat beside me, tapping his foot on the floor with his eyes fixed on the window.
I was just about to open my mouth to wonder aloud where the Elders were when the heavy double doors swung open, and the Elders filed in one by one—Fatima, Elise, Claire, Bradley, and finally Degas, who took his customary seat at the far end of the table. My heart skipped a beat as Chris rose from his own chair.
Chris shot me a reassuring glance before clearing his throat, his gaze sweeping over the assembled Elders.
“Thank you all for coming on such short noti
