Graham does not ask me to sit. He is already seated at the witness table when Evan brings in the recorder, two council representatives, Tessa, and Grant. Vivienne arrives last with an Ironveil advocate and no Silvercrest guards. That is new. Her eyes find me befo

Smoke reaches the council corridor before the second fire bell finishes. Everyone moves at once. That is the problem. Guards turn toward the records wing. Two council aides run for the north stairs. Someone shouts that the outer patrol needs reinforcement.

The first thing I do is stop everyone from using the same antidote. Sera has three vials lined up when I reach the treatment table.

"Those are Grant's doses," I say.

"They're the only counter-agent already prepared."

"And they were calculated for his weight, his expo