Silence spread across the courtyard like poison, heavy and absolute.
The purple hooded figures remained suspended overhead, motionless as statues carved from shadow itself.
Not one of them acknowledged the question that had torn from Darius's throat with such desperate force.
Darius's breathing quickened, his chest heaving despite the weapons piercing him.
His hands clenched where they hung pinned, blood running faster from the movement.
Then his voice exploded across the courtyard again, raw and carrying rage.
"ANSWER ME!"
The shout tore through the air like thunder, echoing off rubble and broken walls.
"TELL ME WHY! TELL ME WHAT I DID TO DESERVE THIS! TELL ME–"
"Oh my dear nephew~"
Kinsley's interruption cut through Darius's building fury, his tone carrying amusement.
His pleasant smile widened as he took one step closer to where Darius knelt impaled.
"After everything that happened tonight, after watching it all unfold exactly as planned..."
