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was one of the first buildings erected in the fortress and had already witnessed many battles in defense of the island.
    “We’ll need to gather the Elite Council and the Knights to make sure that everyone is on the same page and know s what we are trying to accomplish.”
    The Elite Council was composed of twenty highly esteemed individuals who represented each of the Elite’s clans. Liana, Cameron’s wife, was one of them and so was my twin sister, Vivienne. The knights, on the other hand, were members of the Elite’s clans who had enlisted as part of The Shade’s military force. They composed mostly of the high-ranking officers in our garrisons. As far as I knew, we had twenty-one knights.
    Cameron met my gaze as if to check that I was being serious. “Not many of them will understand, Derek. The Shade has become a smaller version of Ancient Rome. We’ve grown complacent and drunk with power… Some of the Elite call our citizens the untouchables .”
    “And you agree?”
    “No.” He shook his head. “We’ve had it good for too long. The tides always turn eventually.”
    “Exactly. So you understand why we must prepare our people for that time when the tides turn?”
    “Of course. We fought side-by-side a long time ago. You know how I recognize it when the winds speak of battle. I’m just telling you the situation as it is. Not many will understand.”
    “We’ll make them understand.” I said through gritted teeth. “ There is no choice.”
    Before Cameron could respond, I heard a familiar, shrill voice echoing through cavernous corridors.
    “Derek! What do you think you’re doing?!”
    I turned to find my twin sister, Vivienne, marching at full speed toward me. It was easy to see how furious she was. Vivienne was both feared and respected as the Seer of The Shade. Many of her visions and prophecies had saved The Shade throughout history. However, some of her prophecies had only served to place me in trouble – especially with my father and brother. One in particular burdened me whenever I recalled it: The younger will rule above father and brother and his reign alone can provide his kind true sanctuary.
    As I watched my sister storm her way toward me, the words echoed through my mind. Sometimes, I would wish that she could somehow stop seeing into my future and just let me live without being pressured by what she saw lay ahead of me.
    “Hello, Vivienne.”
    “What’s going on, Derek?”
    I looked at Cameron, who was shifting his weight from one foot to the other, always rather uncomfortable whenever found in the midst of a confrontation involving a woman. I couldn’t help but grin. Some things never change.
    “Hendry. You can go ahead of me. You don’t have to be present to watch this bloodbath.”
    Relief washed over his face. He bowed his head at Vivienne. “Princess,” he acknowledged, before speeding his way toward the Great Dome.
    “So? What are you blazing mad about, my dear sister?”
    “Come on, Derek … A draft? A census? Why?”
    “You’ve been too lax with our citizens during my sleep. They’ve become weak… complacent… Father, Lucas, you… how did you let it get this way? What happens when the other covens decide we have it too good and attack us?”
    “Father is doing everything necessary to take the road of diplomacy as we speak.”
    “Diplomacy, Vivienne?” I scoffed, slitting my eyes in scrutiny of my sister. “Tell me… does this road of diplomacy lead somewhere toward Borys Maslen?”
    Her face paled at the mention of the name. The Maslens were one of our fiercest adversaries and Borys Maslen in particular had an especially dark history with my sister. Her inability to come up with a response to my question was enough indication of the continuous threat the Maslens posed over us.
    I smirked. “I thought so. I have serious trouble thinking that Borys Maslen will welcome an ambassador from us with open arms and seriously take into consideration talks of peace.