The polished oak double doors of the municipal council hall swung open with a resounding thud, drawing the sharp attention of three dozen estate clerks and land arbitrators seated along the mahogany gallery.
Fiona Conway swept across the threshold in a rustling gown of midnight-blue silk, its borders lined with silver thread that masked the frayed hems near her slippers. Beside her walked Bryce, his broad shoulders covered by a tailored velvet coat that concealed the stiff, unnatural rigidity of his reconstructed ribcage. He kept his gaze lowered just enough to prevent the sunlight from catching the lightless depths of his ink-black eyes, yet his stride remained heavy, confident, and predatory.
At the far end of the marble chamber sat Magistrate Miller, perched behind a raised dais of bl
