The Ravenclaw council room had never felt so filled with quiet tension. Not during the most heated arguments, not even when Evelyn was first brought before them as the one chosen by Damien. Quietness was more intense than yelling. Quietness meant secret planning.
Evelyn sat to Damien's right, holding herself straight even though she felt very worried. Everyone in the room kept looking back and forth between her and Damien, who leaned on the fancy armrest shaped like a wolf's head as if he were made of the same wood. Only Evelyn could see his fingers shaking slightly, the tightness in his jaw each time he forced himself to sit up straight. He was still trying hard to seem strong, even though his body was breaking down bit by bit.
George spoke up from where he stood with the other advisors. "Things are getting tense at the borders. Fji hasn't attacked yet, but his threat hangs over the pack like smoke before a fire starts."
