His power wasn't obvious. Wasn't tied to a specific institution or resource.
Heena was still figuring him out.
But she'd get there.
---
Most people hadn't noticed yet.
The changes were small. Incremental. Easy to miss if you weren't paying attention.
But they were adding up.
And her consorts—distracted by her increasingly public closeness with Larus, focused on their own jealousy and wounded pride—hadn't seen the slow collapse happening beneath their feet.
By the time they did, it would be too late.
Heena sat in her office, reviewing reports, a cup of Larus's milk tea cooling on her desk.
System 427 floated nearby, watching her work.
"Host," he said quietly, "you're really good at this."
Heena didn't look up. "At what?"
"Destroying people without them noticing."
She smiled faintly. "Thank you."
The system hesitated. "…That wasn't entirely a compliment."
"I know," Heena said.
She turned another page and kept reading.
''The Council Meeting ''
