Chapter 59

Nickolas

The sound of my footsteps echoes through the dimly lit dungeon as I stride purposefully toward the center of the room. The air is thick with the coppery scent of blood and the weight of impending violence. I’ve just returned from saying goodbye to Amelia, who wasn’t thrilled about staying with Ava but understood the necessity better than my aunt did. My plan is to quickly finish my business here and retrieve her later.

As I approach the center of the room, I find Lord Easterlin and a guard standing a few feet away from a man suspended from the ceiling. His body is a canvas of bruises and blood, the crimson liquid dripping steadily onto the stone floor below.

This is the reason Lord Easterlin sought me out earlier while Amelia and I were training. He’s doing everything in his power to convince me he’s not in league with his daughter and to atone for his mistake in allowing her to slip away and nearly kidnap Amelia again.

“Patrol Officer Henry,