The first explosion shattered the stillness. Stone and dust rained from the upper balconies as red alarm lights flared across the estate. Aurelia stumbled back from the training yard, shielding her eyes. The protective wards Kane had set along the walls flickered, then failed entirely.
“Inside!” he ordered.
But the command came too late. Shapes poured through the ruined gate wolves and soldiers both, their armor carrying the mark of the old packs. At their head walked Lysandra, hair unbound, eyes glinting like sharpened emeralds.
“Kane D’Lyric,” she called, her voice echoing off marble and iron. “You promised peace. I’m here to collect on the lie.”
Kane drew his sword. “You brought them to their deaths.”
“No,” she said. “I brought them to yours.”
Aurelia stepped forward before she re
