The black doors opened inward, and Enigma entered with Simon beside him.
The hall was circular. Pale stone covered the floor, crossed by thin black lines that met beneath a hanging lamp. Above it, the ceiling curved into a dark dome.
Twelve seats stood on a raised gallery around the room. Five, arranged opposite the entrance, were higher than the other seven. Every seat was occupied.
Simon followed Enigma toward the centre.
The doors closed behind them.
Some elders had restrained their auras so thoroughly that Simon could barely feel anything. Others allowed enough power to escape that he could sense it against his skin but he couldn't measure any of them accurately.
However, he knew they were all stronger than him.
His instincts warned him most strongly about the five seated opposite the doors. Even the woman who appeared to be resting with her eyes half-closed made him reluctant to look away.
Then something stirred inside his heart.
The Seed of Pride.
