Morning arrived beneath a sky of steel.
The rain had finally stopped.
Ravenscroft Manor looked as though it had survived a war.
Broken windows reflected the pale sunrise.
Scorch marks stained the stone walls.
The western gardens had been torn apart by explosions, while emergency crews moved quietly across the estate, repairing what they could. Yet inside the manor...there was no celebration.
They had recovered the First Key.
But everyone understood the truth.
The real battle had not even begun.
Sebastian stood alone beside the library window, watching soldiers load equipment into armored vehicles. His thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock.
Vivian stepped inside carrying two cups of coffee." You didn't sleep." It wasn't a question. Sebastian accepted the cup with a tired smile.
"I tried." She stood beside him, looking out across the damaged estate.
"They almost took everything."
"They almost did." Silence settled between them.
