The Summit of Stars was not a mountain.
It was a fortress buried beneath one—an ancient meeting place used by elemental factions long before the Order had claimed dominion. Located at the edge of the Scandinavian tundra, it had been abandoned after the great schism fractured frost and flame.
But now, someone had reopened it.
And they were waiting.
Ariella stood at the edge of the cliff, the wind ripping through her coat as she stared down at the narrow fissure in the stone. From a distance, it looked like a scar—thin, jagged, nearly invisible.
Perfect for secrets.
Leo adjusted the strap of his rifle and stepped beside her. "You sure about this?"
"No," she replied. "But we can't win this war by hiding."
Nadia's voice came through the comm. "Entry point's clear. Drone scans show heat signatures—six confirmed. No weapons drawn."
Vincent smirked. "So they're expecting a conversation. Not a bloodbath."
Ariella looked over her shoulder at Eleanor.
