The mansion's wide double doors opened with a quiet creak.
Velmora Nyx stepped inside, her boots making no sound against the polished marble floor.
She was as composed as ever—sharp black uniform freshly pressed, her long dark coat brushing just above her heels as she walked.
Her movements were silent, efficient, and precise, as if every step had already been calculated before she took it.
Her eyes scanned the room once, then locked onto Lilith.
Lilith stood near one of the tall windows, arms folded, posture steady. The sunlight coming through the glass spilled across the floor, casting long shadows, but it didn't soften the energy in the room.
The others were already there—Elowen standing beside a carved pillar, Seraphina seated on the back of a sofa with her arms crossed, Isabella near the fireplace, and Liliana pacing slowly near the bookshelves.
No one spoke. They'd all been waiting.
Lilith didn't offer a greeting. She just said, "Thanks for coming."
