Sairis's POV
Sairis stood at the front of the old gates, his hands resting loosely at his sides as he stared at the house that had once been his home.
The Locke family mansion.
The iron bars were cold and worn, the paint long faded, and the seal placed by the king still hung there like a warning to anyone who dared come close.
Nothing had changed, and yet everything had.
The house looked smaller than he remembered, or maybe he had simply grown.
"You should not be standing here, sir." The voice came from behind him, low and cautious.
Sairis did not turn at once, he had expected the warning. He let out a quiet breath, his eyes still fixed on the house.
"You can get killed," the woman added.
Sairis finally stepped back from the gate, his face calm even though his chest felt tight. "I know," he replied.
The woman snorted. "If you know, then you should leave, Sir," she said sharply.
