The hour was gone before they knew it.
The last toll struck the air like a hammer, heavy and final. The hall froze again and laughter stopped, music cut mid-beat, dancers halted mid-step.
Then Maethra rose.. No one needed to say anything. Everyone felt it,the entire palace breathed with her. The walls pulsed faintly,veins of gold snaking through the stone like blood under skin.
Melchior looked at the others,his face was hard,flat,resigned.
"She's done waiting," he said.
Rhea's hand was already on her sword,Vesper clenched her bone chips until they drew blood,Selendra bared her fangs and Eiji felt Alma's hum against his ribs..high, frantic.
[She's gathering power. The drain's full. This is the end of her patience.]
Maethra stepped forward,her blindfold shimmered faintly, her mouth curved into a cold smile.
"Time," she said simply. "No offering,no choice. I will take what is mine."
She raised her hand and the air warped.
