As the council meeting dispersed, George remained seated at
the front of the hall, watching as the crowd slowly filtered out. Conversations
buzzed around him, a mix of quiet whispers and louder debates about Jonas's
proposal. George could see the uncertainty in their eyes, the questions they
didn't dare ask him directly but murmured to one another as they left.
Jonas was clever. He hadn't outright demanded elections, but
the suggestion was enough to leave a lingering sense of instability in the
community. George clenched his fists under the table, fighting back the
frustration that gnawed at him.
John lingered at the door, leaning against the frame with
his arms crossed, eyes scanning the room like a watchful sentry. When the last
of the townspeople had exited, he pushed himself off the wall and made his way
over to George. Lucy and Raven remained by his side, quiet but present. Their
