Everyone fell silent, the implications settling over them like a burial shroud.
Their families were being targeted because they'd chosen to join the Mafia instead of serving Noble interests.
Because they'd dared to challenge the established order!
Because someone needed to send a message about what happened to commoners who forgot their place!
****
[Silverbrook City - Ronan's Family Home]
Ronan's father, Gerard, was built like his son – broad shoulders, thick muscles from years of manual labor and brown hair starting to grey at the temples.
His mother, Mira, was shorter and slighter, her black hair pulled back in a practical bun, her hands roughened from running a small bakery.
They'd received Ronan's frantic call and mostly dismissed it as Academy stress until Mira noticed the time.
"It's nearly midnight… Why would our boy call at midnight unless something was actually wrong?"
