STARLIGHT UNBOUND by Deus Ex Machina - HTML preview

Chapter 20

The message came at dawn.

Lucien sat on the edge of his mattress, running on little sleep. His thoughts had been too restless—split between the rebellion’s demands and the strange dream from the night before.

A sharp knock at the door snapped him out of his haze.

Harun stuck his head in, his expression uncharacteristically serious. “Message from the Order. They want us to meet. Now.”

Lucien frowned, reaching for his jacket. “All of us?”

Harun shook his head. “They asked for Lyra, you, Corin, and me. Aarik and Selene are staying behind to monitor things here. ”

Lucien nodded. This was it.

***

The Council had chosen a neutral location —a vast, domed hall at the edge of the central district.

Once, it had been a place of celebration, hosting citywide festivals and grand announcements. Now, it was empty, its grand arches echoing with every footstep.

The rebels arrived together, their strides steady but tense.

Lyra led the way, her expression unreadable. Corin walked behind her, jaw set, shoulders squared.

Lucien ’s surveyed the surroundings as they entered. Security drones

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