The nursery smelled of milk, herbs, and warm stone.
Sunlight filtered through the tall windows, catching dust motes that drifted lazily above the floor. The wards hummed softly, steady and reassuring, as they always did. It should have felt peaceful.
It no longer did.
The triplets were awake.
And somewhere beyond them, something ancient shifted—aware now that the children were no longer sleeping.
Luca sat upright in the middle of the padded play space, bare feet planted, dark curls wild around his head. His cheeks were flushed, eyes bright with mischief. In his hands was a stuffed wolf—Ash’s favorite. He’d chewed one ear nearly off already.
“No, sweetheart,” the nanny said gently, reaching for it. “That belongs to—”
Luca laughed.
Not a baby’s coo.
A sharp, delighted giggle.
The t
