[House Karzath — Lady Arinaya's Chamber — Same Time]
The corridors of House Karzath remained silent beneath the light. Servants had already withdrawn toward the lower halls. The noble estate rested peacefully. Unaware that death had already entered its walls.
Inside Lady Arinaya's chambers, the curtains moved softly beneath the desert winds. Golden lanternlight flickered against bronze mirrors while perfumes and oils rested untouched across the carved vanity table.
Everything appeared elegant, refined, and safe. Then from beneath the shadows near the balcony a black serpent slowly slithered forward soundlessly.
Its scales reflected no light. As though darkness itself moved across the marble floor, moments later the serpent's body twisted unnaturally, bones cracked softly, and shadows shifted until finally Azhrakaal stepped forward in Serath-min's stolen face, elegant, beautiful, and monstrous.
