In a faraway land beyond the shadow of the Demon Realm, the kingdom of Morthagar was anything but peaceful.
The vast corridors of the palace trembled as another crash echoed through its gilded halls—glass shattering, bronze goblets rolling across the marble floor. Servants shrank into corners, their trembling hands clutching trays or cloths they dared not lift again.
Even the armored knights standing guard along the walls flinched, for the sound was not unfamiliar. Their king's fury was a storm they had all learned to fear, and tonight, the storm raged louder than ever.
"Useless!" the enraged voice thundered. "All of you are nothing but worthless, spineless dogs! I asked you a simple task—watch over Cassian. Keep your eyes on him. And yet, you come before me telling me you lost him? In a temple?"
