tate was the coldest place I

ortress carved from old ambition. It did not welcome

walls, and every step inside felt watched. No windows faced the world. Only slits of

asked, my voice sof

ehicle behind me. "It's not

he dark walls. "

me like this was normal. Like this

alls reflected light in sharp slices. The air felt staged, still, u

d from above.

ed like someone trained to assess threats before speaking. Mid-thirt

" Kaele

armth. No brotherhood

at me like I was a riddle he already di

a widow,"

able," he said, staring at the bl

ard, his tone sha

ge. "We speak plainly in

using t

call you?" he asked

ing. "Try it again, and I'll

. Then Kaelen spoke a

. "You'll want to meet with Council

thers?"

d. "The Dravik

already deciding whether I'm

ll need

t want

e the luxury o

I ev

d not

d. But before he disappeared, he mut

't last

didn't stop him. He ju

se built from control, surrounded by p

eeper in the compound.

r than it needed to. Eleven people already waited, seated in

head of the table.

eak. He simply began. "

. Pale skin. Iron posture. Voice sharp

I said. "No

is house," she replied.

r to kee

ee security, supplies, and tradition. You

end to stay

around the room. I

Gloved hands. Silver hair swept back from his f

use

d yet you walk into this chamber wit

cold, I call survival. That's som

. "Your presence di

ow

ing suspicion. You brin

ng into this house ma

arry peace. Y

weddings. Should I be

yes did not shift. "You

I'm reminded wi

e now. "Tha

eturned to

reaty. She will b

ed her eyes bu

everage," Kae

chaos," Maiv

ed toward m

I knew what he w

hat your fat

d once, t

hout telling me. He said someone close had turned. H

asked the ma

f yet. But ther

someone in your h

find the on

their a

"The investigation

o investigate us

. If she finds something u

o send a message. I was left alive for a reason. Whether you believe me or

hat followed

hallenge. Not with sympathy. Someth

ct, p

lcula

be

fore I stepped out of the c

ing. "Then

d the sound of his

eople like y

t be bor

k grief makes th

protects me," I replie

ected. Kaelen will guard you o

"If your father had died in front o

I would find the person

I are more alike tha

e long enough

you safe forever,

asking

nward, no one in this h

way and ke

, he didn

eath my shoes was too clean. The silence was too exact. I let instinct guide me deeper, ar

when I he

loud. But not

and she will disapp

to survive the yea

. I stepped clo

cond voice continued. "Once he

is not as broken

tigate. Let her get clo

ele

es her too long. That won'

the c

game. I'll take ca

before the w

't know I

I

at was

near the window with his arms crossed. His jacket hung on the c

u send

efore the

lready

ai

lse. Not a nam

ce. He looke

w they were plan

es

me walk in the

ed to see how t

want m

of the

u one o

ed close

y n

believe i

t? A potenti

choice,"

t just let me die and

you mat

This fragi

o

e behind it. But he

door, paused, the

let them

he

was

ot fo