Chapter 40

• The members of the Night Council were filing out of the room, their figures disappearing one by one. Hadrian rose to his feet, his movements deliberate as his sharp gaze followed their departure. His fists were clenched, but the faint curve of his lips betrayed his satisfaction. I stayed in my seat, rooted in the massive, uncomfortable chair, my heart pounding like a war drum. Relief coursed through me, though the weight of what had just transpired left my nerves frayed.
• My hands wouldn’t stop trembling, despite my repeated attempts to assure myself it was over. It was over.
• When the room finally cleared, only Hadrian, Mr. Larkspur, and I remained. I fixed my eyes on Hadrian, silently demanding his attention until he finally looked my way. His smirk was as infuriating as it was calculated, and before I could stop myself, I shot to my feet. He met me halfway, his presence looming.