Sephrina met Isadora's gaze across the ballroom. A small, cold smile.
The poison was slow — odorless, tasteless, designed to weaken him over hours. It would feel like fatigue at first, then fever, then pain, until Gaius would collapse in his estate days later, vulnerable and unable to act.
The two women turned away as if nothing happened.
The Rest of the EveningThe party continued in a haze of laughter, music, and false pleasantries. No one suspected a thing. Gaius himself was soon distracted by politics and gossip, none the wiser to the fate already working its way through his veins.
Isadora played her role well, keeping to Alaric's side, distracting him with flattery and feigned interest.
Lucien, confused and betrayed, could barely take his eyes off her.
Cedric watched from a distance, satisfied with the widening fractures between them all.
