SILENT THRONES

c Moreau's throat, grounding him as the b

bar, he watched the swirl of expensive fabric

ght, filled with allies and enemies disgu

usted non

ly and sharp from too many

om. Wield it wisely,

ose words. Sur

icker of unease tightening h

e didn

e was

g through the crowd like a shadow, slipping between co

g painfully familiar in the tilt of her

n't believe

ike feeling the past cra

en, a blade presse

ali

nd the glass until the cut

mposs

Varela

had

pushing away from the bar, hi

of indifference, but his mind

usters of sycophants and predators. The heavy scent o

ew how to navigate its

man was, she moved

rand staircase, appearing to adm

ade her less noticeable. Gave h

t believe in

e. Not

ch, a voice broke thro

for a man who's about

ngelo, grinned up at him, a glass of s

ask slipping easily into plac

ious, already turning his attention t

et him dr

ed back to the

adn't

rtun

steps measured and unhurried, radiating

was even mor

ted into an el

skin that begge

of blood agai

burning with something raw and u

seen hell an

ok. Wore it himself i

id, voice pitched low, threading just enough int

him, slow an

and when she spoke, her voice was

she said. "Art surviv

row, intrigued despite

his," she replied, lifting her c

k, humorless sound.

room before settling back

e, letting it unfold. "What brings a

her head, c

aid at last. "And

ce of a heartbeat, the electrici

have ste

polite comment and m

ted there, caught by someth

f her champagne, the motion

ed. Unto

ger

ing away into the

go, tension knotting

't ask

and he wasn't read

thing wa

ght had

cting had shifted - and the most dangerous play

ing the fire anchor him, even a

ind out wh

ery secret she thou

c Moreau didn'

his e

to g

burning eyes and a sm

lcony, hidden by shadows, another

ack phone to their lip

st has r

ne wen

in motion years ago began to stir