Malachai's POV
The reports came in at the same time every evening.
Vael had been doing this for forty years...arriving at the study door at precisely eight o'clock with whatever intelligence had accumulated through the day, delivering it in the same quiet, unhurried voice regardless of content. Good news, bad news, catastrophic news. All of it delivered with the same professional evenness.
Tonight he arrived at eight and stood just inside the door with his hands clasped and began.
The Blackwood estate security had been tightened significantly since the breach was discovered. The Seraphim heir had been confirmed to be in recovery....still depleted, still not at full capacity. Also expected. Seraphine had made two calls to Raphael in the past forty-eight hours. Interesting, though not surprising.
Malachai listened from behind his desk with his hands folded on the surface in front of him, watching Vael the way he watched most things.
Then Vael paused.
