XAREN'S POV
I join Mother at the edge of the crowd gathered around Thane and his friends, who are putting on a show of newly-learned magic tricks. Thane conjures a serpent of water, letting it swirl midair before transforming it into a glittering dragonfly. The children cheer. The sky above Elaris flickers with twilight col-ors, deep indigos, humming purples.
"Your father would be so proud of you," Mother says.
"Why do you say that?" I ask, watching the young ones beam with accomplishment.
"Thane has mastered the art of a Waterborn," she says. "Nella is thriving. And you…" she looks at me with those knowing eyes, "you care deeply for the bal-ance between our worlds. That was always his greatest hope."
She's right. I care too much. But she doesn't know the truth.
She doesn't know I killed to protect that balance.
To protect Elaris. To protect all the realms in the AMARON world.
"I'm sure he'd be proud," I say quietly.
But the words feel hollow. Because the man who raised me believed in purpose, in prophecy. What would he say if he knew I took a life, based on a lie I believed was sacred?
The guilt hangs over me like fog on the mirror-lakes.
The Seer has given me nothing, no name, no clue just vague warnings and rid-dles about manipulation. About the risk of imbalance.
I watch Thane lift a glowing orb of water into the air, his grin wide. The festi-val continues around us, music, laughter, and magic filling the space. But my thoughts drift.
The one who manipulated me to cross the veil and kill Darren Hill is still out there.
And the question that haunts me most isn't whether I was wrong.
It's what my father would think of me now.
****
BESS' POV
Jude's SUV hums beneath us as we cruise out of the city toward the Hill estate. After the trial yesterday, I asked Cynthia to reach out to Mrs. Hill. To my surprise, she agreed to speak with us.
The drive is long an hour and a half and by the time we pull into the gated driveway, my nerves are taut with anticipation.
The mansion is stunning. Marble columns. Curved windows that catch the light like water. "she'll see you soon," the housekeeper told us when we ar-rived.
Jude whistles under his breath.
"We've been waiting in the drawing room for twenty-five minutes now."
"Maybe she changed her mind," Jude mutters, tapping his foot.
"She's grieving," I remind him and myself. "Give her time."
Finally, Mrs. Hill enters. Her presence is regal even in mourning: a sleek black dress, golden hair streaked with grey swept into a tight bun. She sits across from us, posture stiff but controlled.
"Thank you for seeing us, Mrs. Hill," I begin. "I'm Steve Howard's defense attorney. I have some questions about your husband, if that's alright."
Her lips tighten. "What do you want to know?"
"Everything," I say gently.
She doesn't speak for a long moment. Then, her voice trembles.
"The night Darren was killed, he had a meeting at the Royalton Hotel. With investors, he said. He called after the meeting to tell me he'd be staying the night… and that was the last time I heard his voice."
A tear slips down her cheek.
"I'm sorry," I say.
I slide a folder across the table. "These documents suggest Darren was working on something, some kind of new technology. Revolutionary, according to one report."
Her expression shifts. She nods slowly. "Yes. He said it would change everything. But he never told me the details. Said he would, once it was finished."
I glance at the photos on the mantle, her, Darren, and their two children.
"Your children," I say. "Where are they now?"
"Nathan runs one of Darren's companies overseas. Blair is a doctor, based in the north."
"Do you think Darren shared his project details with Nathan?" Jude asks.
"I don't know," she replies. "He was secretive. Always protective of his work."
I hesitate. "Did you know Steve Howard worked for your husband?"
"Yes. Darren took him in after his father died. Steve was like a son to us. His father, David Howard also worked with Darren before he died.
She sighs. "When I saw that footage… I didn't want to believe it. I still don't. But I suppose everyone has reasons for the choices they make."
Jude leans forward. "Why did Steve leave Hill Group if he was like family?"
She closes her eyes briefly. "After he got married, he said it was time to be his own boss. He left on good terms or so I thought. He wanted to build his own real estate agency."
I scribble the last of my notes as Mrs. Hill's voice trails off. Her grief feels real. But underneath it all, I sense something more: a fear she hasn't spoken yet.
Something Darren left behind.
Something Steve might've stumbled into.
And something worth killing for.