Ortiz's silence was answer enough.

The torches along the walls flickered as a chill wind swept through the hall, carrying the faint, distant howl of wolves from the city's lower quarters.

Lisa wrapped her shawl tighter, blinking back tears. "You've turned the whole kingdom into a trap, Father. Even your own blood will one day see it. I feel it."

Ortiz's gaze softened for just a fraction of a second - that painful flicker between love and pride - then hardened again.

"Let ...