Lin Yue walked away from Uriel's study with steady steps, but her mind was racing.
"MS, if there is a rat in this house, Auriel is not safe. I need to be close to him."
[AGREED. THE NURSERY SHOULD BE YOUR BASE. OBSERVE FROM THERE. STAFF WILL COME AND GO. YOU CAN WATCH.]
She quickened her pace.
The nursery was warm and quiet when she entered.
Auriel lay in his crib, still sleeping peacefully, his tiny chest rising and falling.
A soft blanket covered him, and the mobile above his head spun slowly in the gentle breeze from the window.
Lin Yue pulled a chair close to the crib and sat down. From here, she could see the door.
Anyone entering would have to pass her.
"Now we wait."
[PATIENCE. THE RAT WILL SHOW ITSELF.]
She reached through the crib bars and touched Auriel's tiny hand.
He stirred slightly but did not wake.
"I will keep you safe," she whispered. "No matter what."
Across the estate, in a wing far removed from the nursery, Varn lay in a large bed.
