The room fell into a silence so complete that Amelia could hear the countdown echoing in her own heartbeat.
Malcolm Kingston stood a few feet away, the brass key resting between his fingers as though it weighed nothing.
“You’ve been protecting the wrong one all along.”
Lucas took a cautious step forward.
“You’re bluffing.”
Malcolm smiled.
“I’ve never understood why people assume the truth must always sound like a lie.”
Damian’s expression darkened.
“What have you done?”
“Exactly what you would have done if our positions had been reversed.”
“You involved innocent people.”
“No.”
Malcolm shook his head.
“I involved future leaders.”
The distinction chilled Amelia.
He genuinely believed every choice he had made was justified.
She realized then that Malcolm did not see himself as
