The evening air in Eldhollow was thick with mist and the sound of distant thunder rolling through the valley. Rain had paused for a moment, but the chill remained, crawling along the manor walls like a lurking spirit.
Seraphine Ravenshade stood near the east-facing window of her chamber, watching like a sentinel. Her dark eyes flicked toward the estate gates just as a familiar, elegant black carriage rolled out and disappeared down the road.
A smile curled on her lips.
He was gone.
Finally.
---
Julian Ravenshade arrived at the stone-buried entrance of the Secretariat's hidden dungeon, a lesser-known outpost carved into the cliffs and woven with enchantments to keep the unworthy away.
He stepped from the carriage with silent purpose. Johnnie stood at the door with a tight-lipped nod, his coat damp from standing guard.
"Evening, my Lord," Johnnie greeted.
