The following morning, Zane led Serein to his office on the fourth floor, where stacks of documents awaited.
One by one, he laid them out before her: the legal accords defining the rights and protections of Awakeners who chose to stand under Eclipse's banner.
He had also drafted a personal agreement, tailored carefully around the conditions Serein had demanded the night before.
Just as Zane had claimed, Eclipse's laws were strict yet fair, every line drawn with the protection of Awakeners in mind.
Serein read slowly, tracing every line with patient scrutiny. Only when she was certain there was nothing amiss did she finally sign her name. With that stroke of ink, her past as a drifting outsider closed, and she became a member of Eclipse.
"Welcome to Eclipse," Zane said, rising from his chair. His hand extended across the desk, a smile calm and diplomatic on his lips.
Serein met it in kind, a courteous nod accompanying her reply. "I'll be in your care."
