Elara's POV
The council chamber was already full when I arrived.
Petrov was in his seat, his face flushed, his hands moving as he spoke to Lord Ashworth. Other council members were scattered around the table, shuffling papers, murmuring to each other. The clerks were at their places, pens ready. Everyone was waiting.
I took my seat at the head of the table. The room went quiet.
"Your Majesty," Petrov said. "Thank you for joining us."
I did not respond to the edge in his voice. I simply looked at him and waited.
He cleared his throat. "We have much to discuss. The situation with the Rendered has reached a critical point. The Voice was in this chamber yesterday. He stood where you are sitting now and lied to us. We cannot afford to wait any longer."
"Wait for what?" I asked.
"Action, Your Majesty. Decisive action." He spread his hands. "We who the Voice is now. One man with a mask and a talent for speaking. We know he was inside the palace. We know he had access. We know–"
