(Evelina's POV—Hartgrave Mansion—Continuation)
The living hall was silent. No one breathed. No one blinked. And Rowan—Rowan stood in front of me like a fortress forged from shadow and bone, blocking every path that could reach me.
Mother was the first to move.
She stepped forward with trembling hands, her voice soft… too soft.
"…Eve."
I looked at her.
Blank.
Emotionless.
She swallowed. "Where were you? And—"
Her eyes drifted over me. The scratches from tree branches. The torn sleeve. The damp ends of my hair. Signs of survival I didn't try to hide.
Her eyes widened. "Can you… tell us what happened?"
The room tightened. Sera stopped breathing. Lucien straightened. Arden's jaw clenched. Father hovered behind them like a man preparing for judgment.
I raised my chin, meeting their stares with icy calm.
"You aren't going to ask why I 'attacked' Kael Valtore?" I said softly. Too softly.
They stiffened.
