The blood moon rose.
Scarlet. Swollen. Watching.
Ethan paced his chamber, jaw tight, claws itching just beneath skin.
“She should not be here tonight," said the head guard. “Not when your condition—"
“She stays," Ethan growled. “No one else keeps me anchored."
“But if she's hurt—"
“I said she stays."
The door shut in the man's face.
Across the room, Xiluo stood by the window, watching the red glow wash across the courtyard. Her fingertips brushed the cool glass, a flicker of unease shadowing her eyes.
Something was wrong.
Too quiet.
Too still.
Her head turned—just slightly.
A whisper in the stone.
There.
She moved.
Fast.
The iron sconce beside the hearth came crashing down.
CLANG.
The alarm bell.
Ethan spun. “What the hell—"
The first blade slipped through the window s
