Rachel POV
The manor was too quiet.
I slipped out of the room carefully, easing the door shut behind me so it wouldn't creak. Leo slept on his side, arm flung protectively over Matteo's, while Thalia lay curled between them, her tiny fingers still clenched around the doll Mr Vance had given her.
The cartoon still played, muted now-bright colours flickering uselessly over sleeping faces.
I just needed water.
Or air.
Or space.
My bare feet barely made a sound against the marble floor as I headed down the corridor.
I didn't make it far.
Damien stood near the tall window at the end of the hall, moonlight cutting across his broad shoulders. Scout bounced at his feet, playing with a chewed-up toy, tail wagging like nothing in the world had ever gone wrong.
He looked the way he always
