For a moment, nobody moved.
Rain hammered against the tall windows of the abandoned academy while silence settled over the grand staircase.
Edward Blackwood stood at the top landing with one hand resting lightly on Jethro's shoulder.
The gesture looked harmless.
Protective, even.
That was what made it terrifying.
Jethro smiled when he saw Amelia.
"Mummy!"
He started toward the stairs.
Edward's hand tightened—not enough to hurt, just enough to stop him.
The movement was subtle.
Possessive.
Amelia felt her entire body go rigid.
"Take your hand off my son."
Her voice echoed through the vast entrance hall.
Sharp. Unsteady. Furious.
Edward looked at her for the first time.
Truly looked at her.
His eyes were startlingly similar to Damien's.
The same dark color.
The same intel
