"As Supreme Goddess," Selene continued, her eyes flashing, "I believe, I do not require permission to speak."
Elenya smothered a laugh, snickering under her breath.
The Mistress of the Moon stared down in disbelief. "You knew?"
"Yes," Selene answered without hesitation. "Now remove the Seal."
"Do not order us, Selene!" the Arbiter snapped back. "The Huntress still has much to answer."
Selene's voice dropped lower, sharp with fury. She gestured toward Artemis, who convulsed, teeth grinding bloody. "Does she look like she can? She will die before you wring all your questions from her. Or is that your intent?"
The tension sharpened like a drawn blade. The High Divinities' gazes bore down heavy, and the celestials in the tiers leaned forward, captivated and unsettled. None had ever seen Selene stand against the High Circle this way. Perhaps Velmira was right, she only took back the throne to save her sister.
