The ballroom remained trapped beneath uneasy silence after the terrified scream shattered through the gala afterparty moments earlier, and while confused students whispered nervously beside flickering chandeliers the crimson symbol burning across the marble wall seemed almost alive beneath dim golden light.
Most humans saw vandalism.
Elara saw war.
Her pulse thundered violently afterward while silver-gray eyes remained locked upon the blood-red mark glowing faintly against polished stone now, and beside her Alexander's expression had turned dangerously unreadable beneath the elegant calm he wore too easily around violence.
Ethan noticed everything immediately.
The tension.
The fear.
The silent understanding passing between them without words.
That frightened him more than the symbol itself.
