The world felt too quiet after Sparrow’s death.

Alina could still feel the echo of the moment Sparrow fell—her last breath, that unhinged smile, the chilling words she whispered as darkness swallowed her. Even dead, Sparrow haunted the room, lingering like a stain on the air.

But the silence didn’t last long.

Ares had dragged her out of the basement and into one of the guest rooms, refusing to let her stand on her own feet. Atlas followed close behind, his jaw clenched, his eyes ...