The rain hammered against the stone steps of the estate, creating a misty curtain behind the man named Julian. He stood perfectly still, seemingly unbothered by the cold wind blowing into the foyer. Silas didn't move an inch, his hand remaining firm on Elena’s lower back, while Kael gripped his iron staff so hard his knuckles were white.
"You have ten seconds to explain why you’re wearing that crest before I rip it off your chest," Silas said, his voice dropping into a register that made the floorboards vibrate.
Julian didn't look threatened. He smiled thinly, his eyes never leaving Elena. "The Crescent Moon isn't just a mark in a history book, Silas. It’s a family. My branch was sent into exile long before the Purge began. We were the contingency plan."
"We were told the line was dead,
