The silence following the collapse of the holographic projection was more violent than the threats themselves. In the dim, ancient light of the Crimson Fang Archive, the air tasted of ozone and impending lightning. Gwen stood frozen, the phantom image of the silver blade against her brother's throat seared into her retinas.
Valerius. The name she had buried under years of grief was now a jagged glass shard in her heart.
"He's lying," Kaelen said. He stepped into her personal space. "Gwen, look at me. Lucien is a cornered animal. He is losing his wealth, his health, and his grip on his pack. A man like that will set fire to the world just to claim he owns the ashes."
"He had the signet ring, Kaelen!" Gwen's voice rose, a golden spark leaping from her shoulder and scorching the stone wall. "He had the finger. My brother is… he's being butchered because of me."
