Damian and Elsa had no idea what was happening outside their private chamber. Neither of them noticed the pale fog spreading across the residence.
It crept through the gardens first, slipping between the trees and crawling over the stone pathways. It swallowed the ornamental ponds, the statues, and the elaborate bridges connecting the different courtyards. Within minutes, the entire estate was buried beneath a thin white haze.
The first guard to succumb was standing beside the eastern gate. His eyelids drooped, his spear slipped from his fingers, and he collapsed against the wall. Another soldier fell moments later. Then another.
