“What the hell is happening?” Leo demanded.
“There are bodies in the attic,” Rory explained. “Simon said they’re the missing guards.”
“How is that possible?”
“I don’t know, sir. I was told the entire property was searched before your arrival yesterday. Guards were posted around the house overnight. Another two guards were on the first floor until Simon and I relieved them this morning.”
“Dead bodies can’t just appear in an attic!” Leo raged.
Rory held up his hands in submission. “I know, but they weren’t there yesterday. Even the smell alone… someone would have noticed.”
“Leo,” Evelyn interrupted. “Someone used a knife to carve up their skin.”
Leo turned slightly green. “Why were you up there?”
“I thought I heard something. I wanted to see what it was.”
“Please, Evelyn, do not investigate things on your own,” Leo begged. “You should have called for a guard or woken me up!”
“I know. I’m sorry. I didn’t expect to find… them.”
Rory peeked through a window. “You said you heard something?”
Evelyn nodded. “It was athumpfrom above our bed, but it wasn’t very loud.”
Like someone’s lifeless hand dropped onto the floor.
“Where is the queen?” Damien’s voice called from the hallway a while later.
After receiving an answer from someone, Damien stomped into the room in the same dress uniform he wore to the wedding last night. “What’s happened?”
Rory repeated the events of the morning.
Damien’s anger radiated from him. “How the fuck is that even possible?”
“We don’t know yet,” Leo said.
“How did you get here so fast?” Evelyn asked.
Damien’s voice softened for her. “I was at the Auclair manor. Some of the Royal Guard showed up and told Vision Court soldiers to put the estate on lockdown but wouldn’t say why.”
“General Savatier should be here soon,” Leo said. “Magalie, too, I think.”
“Did you see it?” Damien asked.
Leo shook his head and gestured at Evelyn. “She did.”
Ten seconds of indistinguishable cursing filled the room, then Damien announced, “I’m going up there.”
“I must advise against that,” Rory warned.
Damien ignored the guard and addressed Leo again. “Are you coming?”
“Yes. Let’s go.”
“No!” Evelyn cried, looking up at him. “Don’t leave!”
“I won’t be gone long. You’re safe here with Rory.”
