The bodies were still being removed when dawn finally crawled over Black Hollow.
Gray light filtered through broken windows and drifting smoke, illuminating the destruction left behind:
blood staining marble
shattered stone pillars
claw marks carved into the walls
silver weapons scattered across the floor
The estate smelled like death.
And Midnight could still hear the mountain breathing beneath it.
She stood alone on one of the upper balconies overlooking the forest, arms wrapped tightly around herself while cold wind whipped through her long black hair.
The woods below looked endless.
Dark.
Watching.
Nothing about this place felt normal anymore.
Not after last night.
Not after the Shadow Eaters bowed to her.
Abyss-born Queen.
The title still made her stomach turn.
The ba
