Chapter 47

** The Watchers Report**

The realm of Lanom was always quiet, serene even, with an almost oppressive sense of order. The golden light that bathed the council chambers did little to ease the tension that now gripped Sariel, head of the council. He sat in his high-backed chair, his wings folded neatly behind him, his expression calm but thoughtful. The Watchers had arrived with news—news he wasn't particularly pleased to hear.

The Watchers, ancient beings tasked with observing mortals and ensuring the balance of power between realms, had been keeping a close eye on Athena ever since her first spontaneous teleportation into Lanom. Sariel had thought that keeping her under watch would be a routine task. She was mortal, after all, and mortals—even special ones—rarely surprised him.

But today, the Watchers brought him something unexpected.