The fire.
The quiet room.
Damon's hands flat on the table.
Silas not moving.
Damian looking at Vessa and feeling something cold and precise settle over everything.
"What changed," he said.
"Someone warned them," Vessa said. "That night. Someone inside Malachai's operation who had a limit....who would move against a succession claim but not against a child." She paused. "They warned Lilith specifically. Gave her enough time to get the baby out before—" She stopped. "Before the rest of it."
"Who," Eve said.
One word.
Quiet.
