oom was e

ic that once masked tension with elegance. What remained was

inst the marble. Her throat was dry, but she kept her chin high. She had nothing lef

stealing documents. That h

ys been the original plan.The one

ate wing was lit dimly in warm gold. Two guards shifted at

urse

fire in the hearth and the quiet

ed in - a

re he was.

shirt undone at the collar, sleeves rolled. His suit jacket hung loosely behind him

t - he was

ade you forget he ran an emp

e justice to the precision of him. The lean stren

hat her sto

dn't

slowly, "Did you come to conf

locking. "I came to tell yo

eaking into my basement was p

closer, no

she gestured between them,

eet from him, no lo

w I faked my way in. And if you were going to

nother drink, o

. That doesn't mea

he said sharply. "I'm Lyr

his attentio

understand I'm not here for scraps. I'm here to take

ed him i

. I can see it in you. You wear this empi

's jaw

ng blood will giv

t it gives me a rig

of his drink. His voice, when it came, was cool st

you'll survive in

closer, fire

ed worse tha

neither could name yet. Then Damian set his glass down and circled behind he

tole files. Lied to my guards. Trespassed

without turning, "yo

Close enough she coul

he basement. That was you in the hoodie." He didn't answer. J

self for someone who just

eyes

for someone whose thron

her for a l

poured a second drink and slid

dn't t

your invitat

but you're going to

pa

r asked

His smirk deepened. "Y