[Evelina's POV—Vinter Mansion—The Room With the Locked Door]
The door closed behind us with a soft, deliberate click.
Not loud.
Not dramatic.
Final.
The kind of sound that said the world outside could burn—and whatever happened next would stay contained in this room. Theo's weight leaned heavier into me the moment the latch settled. Not collapsing—refusing to. As if he had decided falling was not an option until Alina was safe.
Rowan moved first.
"Clear the room," he ordered quietly.
The guards obeyed without question. Curtains drawn. Windows checked. The hallway was sealed. Someone locked the door from the inside. Another set a chair beneath the handle—not because the lock wasn't enough, but because Theo Vinter's life had taught everyone that enough was never enough.
I guided Theo to the bed.
"Sit," I said softly, not commanding—asking.
He obeyed.
That alone was terrifying.
