Chapter 39:
The conservatory was filled with screams.
Glass covered the marble floor like shattered ice.
Paramedics rushed toward Evelyn Carter’s motionless body while police sealed off the building.
Emily remained frozen beside the fountain.
The brass key was still in her hand.
Her fingers refused to let go.
Detective Reed arrived moments later, breathless.
“Emily!”
He knelt beside her.
“Are you hurt?”
Emily slowly shook her head.
Then looked at Evelyn.
“She was trying to tell me something.”
Reed followed her gaze.
“The Queen?”
Emily nodded.
“She wasn’t running the Circle.”
Reed frowned.
“What?”
“She said…”
“…the Queen answers to a King.”
Silence settled between them.
Everything they thought they knew had just fallen apart.
⸻
An hour later…
The conference room at
