#Chapter 18: Clarity

Reporters were still shouting when Richard’s voice cut clean through the chaos. "Delete the photos. All of them," Richard snapped, voice cutting sharper than any blade. "If I see one image surface from this, your press passes are gone. Permanently. Don’t test me." There was no room for argument. Just that quiet, dangerous authority that made people freeze mid-breath. Within seconds, phones were being yanked down, lenses lowered. Nathan barked orders to follow up, confirm compliance, and make sure no one slipped out with a shot of me half-frozen in fear beside a collapsed Elder. Then Richard turned to Beta again. "Get the healer here. Now." He didn’t say anything else. Just looked once in my direction and moved off with the same sharp grace he always carried. I stayed by Elder Thorne’s side, too numb to move. Someone draped a jacket over my shoulders—I didn’t catch who. Emma crouched next to me, voice low. "Hey. It’s okay. It’s going to be okay." "It’s not," I said. I was