Lady Bryren of House Merek had a scowl on her face and her arms were crossed, which only made her look even more fierce than usual. Her copper hair surrounded her face in an array of small braids and wild pieces, and her leather garb was a mix of blacks, browns, and the occasional colored skin.

Lord Haruk Rafel appeared ancient, his emerald eyes sunken and the lines around his face more pronounced. He hid his hands in the folds of his green robes as he waited for Lady Ragna to speak.

Lord Leo Luceras had no expression on his face. Amara took a moment to peruse the young lord’s physique, enjoying the firm, muscular lines and golden hair. He would have made an excellent match, and she wouldn’t have minded being lady of such a prestigious house, but after watching him for the last fortnight, she was sure his heart belonged to Lady Ayaka Rafel. The only question was if her father, Lord Haruk, knew.

The three remaining chairs were conspicuously empty, and everyone’s eyes seemed to be avoiding them.

Lady Ragna glanced around the room a second time before she began. “Fellow grand lords and ladies. We have all been shaken by the events of the last few days. Murder and betrayal of the highest degree have been committed. I assure you my men are doing everything they can to discover what exactly has happened and to catch those involved—”

“What do you know?” Lady Bryren asked, interrupting Lady Ragna.

Lady Ragna set her gaze on Lady Bryren, who stared back with the same intensity. Amara couldn’t help but admire the wyvern lady in that moment for not being intimidated by her mother. Very few could look Lady Ragna in the eye and not flinch.

“Lady Rune and Runa were found dead in their beds,” her mother said smoothly. “And Lord Maris is missing, along with my own daughter, Lady Selene. We believe the empire has something to do with—”

“By what evidence?” Lady Bryren asked.

“Pardon me?”

“What evidence do you have that it was the empire?”

“Come now, Lady Bryren, you must have realized that a meeting such as this assembly would have attracted assassins from the empire.”

“But you said the empire was not a threat.”

“Our assembly made us a threat. I see this as a warning from the Dominia Empire to leave things as they are.”

“Or it’s their announcement that they plan to take out our houses one by one. That leads me to the next question. How would an assassin or assassins enter Rook Castle? How easy was it for the empire to enter this place?” Lady Bryren uncrossed her arms and leaned forward. “Or was it the empire at all?”

Lady Ragna narrowed her eyes. “What are you implying?”

“That there could be more going on than we know. I think the empire is here, now, amongst us.”

“That would support my assassins theory,” Lady Ragna said.

“Or the empire has allies in these lands.”