Ava sat in the quietly, hands folded delicately around a warm porcelain cup. A few loose strands of her brown hair framed her face as she stared into the steam. The tea, fragrant and steadying, did little to soothe the storm quietly unfolding within her chest.

  Ryan. That sweet, stubborn, reckless boy.

  The moment the news reached, her heart dropped, and her thoughts spiraled. It was grief.

  She tried to keep her composure, but her mind refused to be reined in.

  Her grip on the teacup tightened.

  A quiet shudder ran through her.

  And then, because the mind has no brakes once it begins.

  She gasped.

  Ava covered her mouth.

  A tear slipped from the corner of her left eye.

  She gently dabbed it away with a handkerchief and took another sip of her tea, slow and elegant. The motion was serene, even as her thoughts continued to unravel like poorly tied ribbon.

  Daisy sat on the silk-lined couch just beside Ava, her legs swinging as she nibbled on a cookie, crumbs flaking onto the marble floor.

  She held out another cookie, eyes shining.

  Daisy: “Ava, you’re not eating the cookie.”

  Ava blinked, momentarily drawn out of thought. “Oh, dear, I will. Why wouldn’t I?”

  She picked one from the tray and took a graceful bite. A polite, modest bite and nothing excessive.

  Ava: “That’s quite enough for now. I have a meeting to attend, as I said, and you know—no matter the matter, food is compulsory there.”

  Daisy: “That’s unfair! Why is Daisy not invited this time? It’s not fair!”

  Ava: “Because we’ll be doing some very dull, very adult talking.”

  Daisy crossed her arms dramatically, her ash lavender hair swaying with the motion.“Daisy is an adult too! All of you are treating daisy like a child too much lately! First you send Ryan off to gods-know-where for who-knows-what and didn’t even tell me and now daisy not even invited to the meetings!”

  She fumed, eyebrows scrunched, her cookie now forgotten in her little fist.

  Ava placed her teacup down softly : “We didn’t have much of a choice. It was a mission only Ryan could do. But don’t worry. He’ll return before you know it.”

  Daisy: “Well, if he doesn’t come back… daisy get to keep the whole southern palace to myself.”

  She smiled proudly, as if she had already redecorated it with stuffed animals and candy walls.

  Ava: “Aren’t you sad you have no one to play with?”

  Daisy: “Not at all! Daisy got you, and Pelta, and Max, and all the golems. Got plenty of playmates.”

  Ava’s expression warmed, only slightly: “How nice.”

  Just then, the air shifted as Ultimare entered the hall elegant as always, a picture of composed charm. His eyes swept the room with lazy amusement, settling on his sisters.

  Ultimare: “If it isn’t my cutest sister. What a surprise.”

  Ava tilted her head: “Oh dear brother, you don’t need to flatter me so much, but if you say so—”

  Ultimare cut her off smoothly, already striding toward Daisy: “I was talking to Daisy.”

  He sat beside the youngest Sinclair with all the pageantry of a prince greeting a dignitary.

  Ava’s eyes narrowed for a fraction of a second—a flicker of death stare behind a perfectly controlled smile.

  Daisy, delighted, eagerly held out the cookies again. Ultimare took one with a courtly flourish.

  Ultimare: “Thank you, little angel.”

  He patted her head, gently stretched one of her cheeks between his fingers.

  Ultimare: “Apologies, I don’t have anything to give you in return.”

  Ava: “So, what made you show up at my place out of the blue? Got some business with me?”

  Ultimare: “Sort of. I ran into Finn. He just got back, and he asked me to fetch Max. I was already on my way—figured I’d drag you along too.”

  Ava: “Why me? I have no desire to see that idiot. He annoys me.”

  Ultimare: “He annoys me too. Frankly, if I’m left alone with that freak, I might end up murdering him. I need someone to supervise me.”

  Ava: “I could end up doing the same.”

  Ultimare: “Then I’ll stop you... and supervise you instead.”

  Ava: “What if we both get in the mood?”

  Ultimare: “We’ll take turns. Only one of us is allowed to get angry at a time.”

  Daisy: “Daisy can help too!”

  Ultimare: “Ah, no, my dear. That won’t be necessary. Also, It’s almost time for the meeting, so we would be directly going there.”

  Daisy’s expression fell, the light in her eyes dimming just a little

  Ultimare: “How about this—you go greet First Sister? She just returned, and she brought gifts with her.”

  At that, Daisy’s face lit up again. Without another word, she bolted off, a blur of joy and innocence vanishing down the corridor

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  Ava, watching her go. “I should greet her as well.”

  Ultimare: “No need. You’ll see her at the meeting anyway.”

  Ava:“Perhaps.”

  They walked in step, their pace unhurried, but there was a tension in the air that no amount of small talk could fully smother.

  Ultimare: “Daisy looked relieved… I suppose hiding the truth from her was the right call.”

  Ava: “Yes. It’s better this way. Just hearing Ryan would be away on a mission was enough to make her cry yesterday. I can’t imagine how she’d react if she knew the truth.”

  Ultimare: “You did the right thing, Ava. None of us are built for this kind of thing—comforting children, easing grief. If she caught even a sliver of the atmosphere hanging over this house right now… I don’t think she’d recover.”

  Ava: “That was my thought, too. Mother… she was the only one who could’ve handled a situation like this properly. She would’ve known what to say. But us? We lie because we don't know how to offer real kindness.”

  Ultimare: “It won’t be like this forever. We’ll find a way to set things right.”

  Ava:“I hope so. I have a lot of questions. I just hope Lucien has his answers ready.”

  Ultimare didn’t respond. He simply walked beside her, silent as stone, his expression unreadable.

  They walked in silence for most of the way. Neither Ava nor Ultimare seemed in a hurry.

  The door they stopped in front of was unmarked, but anyone who lived in the house long enough knew it was one of a temporary confinement room.

  Ultimare placed his hand on the door and opened it.

  Ultimare: “Come outside. We’re going for the meeting.”

  He waited.

  Silence.

  Ava: “Oh, hey. Are you deaf, or just ignoring us? Come out.”

  Still nothing.

  Ava clicked her tongue and glanced at Ultimare. After a brief pause, they stepped inside.

  The room was bare, modest, really. A single bed, an attached bathroom, no windows.

  But it was empty.

  Ultimare: “Well. Look at that, Ava. Max isn’t here. Where could he have disappeared to?”

  Ava: “Incredible. Truly a mystery for the ages. A sealed room, no exits, no windows. Maybe he turned into water and slipped down the toilet.”

  Ultimare’s gaze swept the space, expression unreadable. He walked toward the bed. One step. Then another. He stopped beside it.

  He crouched. Then, with minimal ceremony, he tore apart the mattress. The breaking wood, revealing the hidden compartment beneath the mattress maybe made for keeping goods, and just big enough to hide someone stupid enough to think it’d work.

  Max was curled inside, limbs folded in, posture almost comfortable.

  Max looked up, completely unfazed, “Well that’s rude brother, Where the hell is your manners. You could’ve knocked at least.”

  Ultimare reached down, grabbed Max by the collar, and yanked him out of the hidden space like pulling a rat from a hole. Without pause, he tossed him to the ground with casual force.

  Ultimare: “Quit fooling around. We’re heading to the meeting hall. Keep your mouth shut and walk.”

  Ava glancing down at him,” I second that. Especially the mouth shut part.”

  Max raising a hand as if swearing an oath,“Understood. No need to worry. I’ll maintain absolute silence. Like a cricket on a summer night. You won’t even notice I’m there.”

  Ava: “how about you behave like snail under the sun instead.”

  Max dusting himself off,“By the way, I didn’t get breakfast. Could one of you kind souls fetch me something? Actually, why don’t we swing by my real room? I’d like to wear something presentable—something worthy of attending a grand family meeting.”

  Ultimare: “We don't have the time and, It doesn’t matter. Just move.”

  He and Ava turned and began walking out without waiting.

  Max: “Easy for you to say, wearing the most luxurious outfit in the estate. You do realize this is a family meeting, not a royal parade? Who exactly are you trying to impress? Honestly, brother, it makes you look like an arrogant bas—man, an arrogant man.”

  Ultimare: “Follow me. And if you don't want me fill your mouth with literal filth, don’t say another word.”

  Max sighed and trailed after them, hands folded behind his head.

  Max: “Ah, it feels good to breathe fresh air again. You really start to appreciate life’s little things after confinement freedom, clean air, sky that doesn’t look like a ceiling.”

  Ava: “You were in there for one day.”

  Max: “Time’s relative, Ava. You smell like cookies. Got some? No? Why am I even asking? A bucket of them wouldn’t survive five minutes near you. My bad.”

  Ava: “Brother Ultimare. He’s doing it.”

  Max: “Doing what?”

  Ultimare: “Do you feel even a flicker of guilt? For what happened. For what Ryan is going through right now.”

  Max shrugging ,“Oh, come on. You talk like I threw him out myself. He forced me to take him out, alright? Things happened. One thing led to another. You know how it is.”

  Ava: “At least show some responsibility.”

  Max: “Did you take responsibility every time one of your pets ran away?”

  Ava: “Ryan wasn’t a pet. And he didn’t run. He was kidnapped.”

  Max: “Doesn’t matter. End result’s the same. And in both cases, saying ‘I take responsibility’ doesn’t change anything.”

  Ava: “How can you say that?”

  Max: “Am I wrong? We don’t know where he is, who took him, what the outside world even looks like anymore. We’ve got work to do if we want to find him. Responsibility talk doesn’t help a damn thing.”

  They reached the hallway outside the meeting hall.

  Ultimare glancing around :“Looks like we’re the first ones here.”

  The heavy doors of the assembly hall opened with a low, resonant hum, responding not to touch but to presence. The hall stirred subtle shifts in air pressure, faint vibrations through the marble floor. It recognized them.

  Ultimare entered first, silent and composed. His steps were firm, his gaze sweeping across the vast chamber, absorbing its quiet, controlled majesty. Ava followed, her posture straight, expression unreadable, though her eyes tracked everything. Max trailed behind, one hand in his pocket, the other loosely dragging across the surface of the wall, as if bored by the entire ordeal.

  They were the first to arrive.

  The pool at the center of the hall reflected their silhouettes as they passed, its surface untouched by ripple or wind. The lotus constructs drifted slowly in rhythm, sensing new entries, adjusting the ambient flow of magic around the room.

  Twelve thrones hung above the central platform, suspended midair in a perfect circle. The seat's cold, regal, and pulsing enchantments began to move as the three approached. Each throne adjusted height and orientation, aligning with its respective owner as the hall calculated their rank and presence.

  Ultimare’s throne responded first, descending slightly, hovering low enough for him to step on effortlessly.

  Ava’s seat followed, gliding into place with fluid precision. The cushioning shifted as she settled into it, the structure adapting to her posture without need for command. Her eyes moved toward the still-empty throne used by the Head of the Family.

  Max stood still for a moment, eyeing the remaining seats. His didn’t move.

  He glanced up. “Is it not going to float down for me?”

  Ava didn’t bother to look at him. “Maybe the hall finally developed standards.”

  Ultimare:“ well, today you are here as convict, not as member of the family, you do not need any sitting”

  Max:“that's not fair” Max muttered as he jumped and climbed aboard. His throne didn't quite react to him, it only adjusted just enough to stop him from falling off. Nothing more.

  “Lazy piece of furniture,”

  “See that?” he said, settling in with a sigh. “Even the furniture here has an attitude.”

  “Fits you perfectly,” Ava replied.

  Roughly ten minutes passed. Ava and Ultimare sat reviewing their reports, each quietly jotting notes, flipping through pages, calculating implications. Max, meanwhile, had made himself comfortable head tilted back, arms folded, trying to catch a nap mid-meeting.

  Then the door opened again.

  Selena entered her throne responded immediately, descending to greet her.

  Ultimare: “Greetings, Sister Selena. I trust your journey was smooth?”

  Ava: “Welcome. It’s been a while since I’ve seen you in person, sister.”

  Selena: “Lovely to see both of my sweet siblings looking so well.”

  She took her seat as the throne adjusted to her form.

  Ava glanced over her shoulder,“Hey, Max. Wake up. Greet First Sister. Or whatever little manners you had also died?”

  Her tone was deliberate, intended more for Selena than for Max.

  Selena’s eyes followed her gaze and landed on the sleeping figure.

  Selena: “So Max is here too? I’m a little hurt that he didn't even recognize my presence.”

  As if in response, the shadow beneath Max’s throne stirred.

  Without warning, Max’s seat launched him from its base, his body sailing through the air before landing with a loud splash in the central pool.

  Max struggling, half-floating, half-swimming to the edge“What the—! Are you out of your minds? What kind of sadists attack a sleeping man? Seriously, which one of you freaks did that?”

  He turned sharply as he reached the edge and pulled himself out, only to find Selena calmly watching him.

  Selena: “Good morning, Max. Did you rest well?”

  Max’s entire demeanor shifted in an instant. His soaked hair clung to his face, clothes dripping, but he managed a forced smile.

  Max: “Sister. Of course. Always a pleasure. I'm doing great. When did we last meet? Definitely had a good nap. And now a refreshing bath too. Thanks for that.”

  Selena: “All my pleasure.”

  He took a step. He made the water evaporated instantly from his clothes and skin. As he reached near the pool, he controlled the water to make step after steps guiding him to his seat. Once seated, he acted as though nothing had happened.

  Max: “So, Sister... did you bring anything for us, did you? Something edible, if possible.”

  Selena: “I did, actually.”

  She pulled out three sealed boxes from her hands shadow, which rose into the air. Guided by the hall’s magic, it drifted across the space landing neatly on the side tables next to Max, Ava, and Ultimare.

  Max immediately opening his share, “Finally. Some food.”

  He started eating with the urgency of someone running a race, gulping down each bite like it might vanish if he blinked.

  Max: “You two aren’t gonna try this? It’s excellent.”

  Ultimare: “I’ll pass. I’d rather wait for the proper time and place.”

  Ava watching Max chew like a starving animal, “Same.”

  Max: “Whoever baked this is amazing. Our golems cook well, but handmade stuff feels different.”

  Before anyone could reply, the atmosphere shifted. The faint hum of the hall changed pitch.

  Boot steps rang out measured, heavy, metallic. A figure entered, clad in a long blue coat and dark gray suit. Iron-toed boots echoed sharply against the marble.

  The most striking feature was the mask: forged from enchanted silver-white alloy, it covered his face entirely. The forehead bore a golden band, which at front horns like that of bull made of gold and with a blue gem embedded at the center.

  The mouthpiece was solid, reinforced, and both hands were restrained in intricate gloves and cuffs, heavy with suppression sigils.

  Selena: “Oh? So you came after all. I thought you might skip this one too.”

  Alaric: “The matter held enough weight. I couldn’t ignore it.”

  Ultimare: “Brother Alaric. It's good to see you in person.”

  Ava giving a small nod of acknowledgment,“Likewise, Eldest Brother.”

  Max: “You’re all too formal. Keep this up, and we’ll still be greeting each other by sunset. Brother Alaric, want some pie? It's good. Join me.”

  Alaric: “Thank you for the offer, Max, but I have to decline, unfortunately. And to the rest of you, I hope you’ve been well too.”

  He walked toward his throne. It reacted to his presence and lowered enough to receive him. Once seated, he folded his hands and waited, silent behind the mask.

  Moments later, the final group entered Finn, Pelta, and at the center of them, Lucien.

  The real meeting was about to begin.