"What? A HOWLER?"
Lilith's voice shattered the somber air of the meeting room, drawing every gaze her way.
The room fell silent, save for the faint echo of her exclamation. The tension tightened like an invisible thread pulled taut, stretching the unease that had already taken root.
Luther's brows furrowed deeply, confusion etched on his face. "What did you just say?" His voice carried a note of disbelief.
"I said—" Lilith began but was interrupted.
"You heard correctly. A howler," Ivan muttered, his voice steady, though his eyes betrayed the storm brewing within him.
Hay rose abruptly from his seat, his chair scraping against the polished marble floor. "This is absurd! We've barely begun to discuss the planes, and now one of their abominations is already upon us?"