The hall stayed quiet long after Evelyn’s father had gone. His words still echoed in the marble room, heavy and cold. No one moved. No one spoke. The air felt too thick to breathe.

Damon’s jaw was tight, his eyes darker than she had ever seen. “Double the patrols,” he said at last, his voice hard. “I want guards at every entrance. No one leaves or enters without my order.”

The guards bowed and left quickly. The sound of their boots faded down the hall, leaving only the four of them, ...