He lifted his wine glass-slow, graceful, like nothing terrifying had just happened-and his voice rolled out over the room. “To the night.”
Just three words. But every guest reacted at the same time. Like a single body. Glasses rose. Eyes lowered. Heads bowed just a little too fast.
A shiver went through me. They knew this ritual. They had done it before. They weren’t confused. They weren’t shocked. They were prepared. Like Liliana’s presence wasn’t strange at all. Like she belonged here.
Damian’s gaze slid back to me while his glass was still in the air. And his look. God. That look said everything he didn’t speak out loud.
Do it.
Follow.
Don’t draw attention.
Don’t be the only one who disobeys.
My fingers tightened around the steam of my glass. My throat felt too tight to swal
