Benedict's POV
The Ironfang library devoured sound like a hungry beast. Each step I took disappeared into the thick carpets. Every breath vanished into the towering shelves packed with centuries of accumulated knowledge. The silence pressed against me with an almost physical weight.
This place had always been my sanctuary. Even as a child, I found peace among these leather-bound volumes and ancient manuscripts. The scent of aged paper mixed with worn bindings created an atmosphere that spoke of power and secrets. This library was among the most comprehensive in our shadow world, built by generations of Ironfang alphas who understood that information was the ultimate weapon.
Tonight, I needed that weapon more than ever.
