"Not at the same time?" Gabriel growled.
"The receptionist says the maid left with a werewolf and the captain of the royal guard in the middle of the night, crying and trembling."
Gabriel's servant, a thin man named Lurent, bowed as he delivered the message, his eyes flickering with caution. He was used to delivering unsettling news to Gabriel.
Gabriel's jaw tensed. "A werewolf?" he repeated, eyes narrowing into slits.
"Interesting," he murmured, almost to himself. His thoughts spun in tight, calculated circles, trying to piece together the implications. "This means the Queen knows of her existence. The King told his wife."
That, in itself, was foolish. Damien always was soft when it came to women.
Gabriel turned his sharp gaze to Lurent. "You can leave."
The servant bowed again and retreated quietly, the doors shutting with a soft boom behind him.
Left alone, Gabriel slowly lowered himself into the carved chair beside the table, fingers steepling under his chin.
