The orphanage was too quiet.
Even the wind through the courtyard trees felt still, as if the branches knew what the envelope in my hand contained.
I gathered everyone in the sitting room—Lysandra, Vale, Jake, Link, Syd. Even Alfon showed up, pale and silent, standing with his back against the wall like he didn't want to take up space. No one said a word as I broke the crimson wax seal with the half-lidded eye stamped on it.
The paper inside was thick. Inked by hand.
I read it aloud.
"Your friend is being held in Site 3, codename Fun House. Location: beneath the ruined opera house in the abandoned Ivyend district. Access through the old conductor's tunnel. Guard rotation is listed below."
The room went colder.
My voice didn't shake, but I felt it trying to.
"Host: House of Lilith. Objective: Short-term holding. Transfer window: three days. Names of known collaborators included. Enclosed: list of assets seeking Lilith's fall."
There was a second sheet.
