GRIEF AND HONOR

{"Tears are the silent language of grief."}

"He's with me," Frery murmured, his crimson eyes steady on mine. I hesitated, then exhaled, watching the guard incline his head slightly in respect. "His name is Soren as he helped me escape Paradise Bay Coven," Frery continued. "Without him, I wouldn't have made it here. Lord Marcel's guards were hunting me down."

I narrowed my eyes at the vampire, who remained silent but vigilant. He smelled of blood and nightfall, of places I had never stepped foot in but knew carried danger in every shadow. A sudden sound cut through the tension, a deep, reverberating voice, low and thunderous.

Rita shot up, her head snapping toward the far side of the cave. "Where did that voice come from?"