Elena Ravenclaw's estate was smaller than I expected. No grand halls or elaborate gardens. Just a fortified manor house tucked into the hillside with guards that actually looked competent.

They stopped me at the gate.

"State your business."

"Elara Bennett. I need to speak with Elena."

The guards exchanged looks. One disappeared inside while the other watched me with the kind of attention that said he'd memorized my face and would recognize me in the dark from a hundred yards ...