HELEN’S P.O.V.Seraphina’s estate was not a house. It was a statement.While the Crescent Moon estate was built of timber and stone, designed to blend intothe forest, the Silver River stronghold was a sprawling modernist sculpture of glass,steel, and white concrete perched on a cliff overlooking the roaring river.It screamed money. It screamed power. And, as we walked into the pristine white foyer,dripping with mud, soot, and ancient cave dust, it screamed that we did not belong here."Shoes," Seraphina commanded, pointing a manicured finger at the marble floor. "Off.Immediately. That represents Italian marble imported from a quarry that no longerexists."I kicked off my heavy tactical boots. My socks were gray wool, holey at the toe.Kai unlaced his combat boots, grimacing. "You got any guest slippers, Sera? Or do wejust slide around in our socks like Risky Business?""The guest wing has heated floors," Seraphina said, tossing her fur coat to a silentattendant who appeared fr
Last Updated : 2026-01-09 Read more