Ronin strode through the gardens down to the cottage that Thea had kept. But before he had pushed the door open, he already knew that something was wrong. The cottage, despite the warmth of the day outside, felt cold and empty.
It was obvious that no one, not Thea, Sebastian or Morgana was at home. Yet there was also something off about the entire house. After running through the rooms, Ronin stood in the kitchen with his hands on his hips, frowning at the cupboards. Finally, he was able to pinpoint the subtle differences.
The cottage was furnished and decorated, and nothing was missing. Except for the small personal items that built up in a home. The small pile of riding gloves on a table by the front door. A stack of dishes drying beside the sun. Odd pieces of fruit that had been thro
