A Traitor's Shadow and a Lover's Fury

FABIAN

The fire crackled in my office, flames dancing as if mocking my darkening thoughts. I swirled the amber liquid in my glass, the whiskey catching the firelight like liquid gold.

"You've been staring at those reports for an hour," Marcus said, dropping into the chair across from me. "Your scowl might set them ablaze before the fire does."

I tossed back my drink, welcoming the burn. "Something doesn't add up, Marcus."

"With the border patrol schedules?" He reached for the decanter, pouring himself two fingers.

"With the attacks on Vanessa." I set my glass down harder than intended. "They started long before anyone knew she was Vanessa West. Before she was revealed as the lost Moonstone princess."

Marcus's brow furrowed. "You think someone wanted her dead for reasons beyond her bloodline?"