Jarons Punishment For His Atrocious Act

Alaric shut his eyes for a long, agonizing moment.

Lucius was right. Damn him.

He couldn't keep Salviana safe by blindfolding her. If anything, that made her an easier target.

He opened his eyes slowly, the icy blue of his gaze darkening. "We open the lockbox tonight."

Lucius gave a firm nod, a hint of satisfaction in his expression.

"But," Alaric added, his voice like steel, "we tell Salviana after we know what's inside."

Lucius's lips twitched into the ghost of a smirk. "Of course."

Alaric wasn't fooled.

Lucius would find a way to involve Salviana, whether he liked it or not.

But for now…

He had bigger demons to face—both the ones in the basement and the ones buried deep within his own blood.

The candle on the desk flickered violently, a sudden draft whispering through the room.