Thunder howled endlessly, as if the sky itself was calling out in rage. It never stopped pounding the earth. Rain poured down in thick sheets, slamming against the tall windows of White Manor like war drums.
Yet even that chaos could not compare to the tension inside the drawing room.
The room was silent, but no one's mind was. Thoughts collided violently, emotions stretched tight, ready to explode at the slightest push.
"How?! How did you fail to protect him?!" Adrian's voice tore through the room, louder than the thunder outside.
"We didn't even leave you for a day, for goddamn sake, Edmund!"
He slammed both hands onto the table, the sound sharp and vicious. His eyes burned as he glared at Edmund with hatred.
The Leopard sat motionless, head lowered, staring at the floor as if it held answers no one else could see.
"EDMUND!"
Adrian screamed his name just as lightning flashed, illuminating the room in stark white. Still, Edmund did not respond.
