Moonrise did not feel like nightfall. It felt like judgment. The entire estate had changed in the hours leading up to it—quietly, deliberately, like the land itself was preparing for something it had witnessed too many times to be surprised by. Torches lined the outer grounds. Not for light. For witness. Denise stood at the edge of the open courtyard, the cold air biting through her skin, watching wolves gather in clusters beyond the stone boundary. Too many. Far too many. Not all of them were council members. Not all of them were Liam’s. Some had come simply because power called to them the way hunger called to starving things. And tonight, Liam was the meal. She swallowed hard. Beside her, Liam stood perfectly still. Controlled. But not calm. That difference mattered now. His father approached from behind them, stopping just far enough away not to interfere. “They are early,” he said. Liam didn’t turn. “They are eager.” Denise glanced at
続きを読む
