Selene couldn't stop thinking about what she'd seen.
The signature on the purge order. The handwriting that wasn't Damian's.
It haunted her through her duties. Followed her into her dreams. Whispered questions she didn't know how to answer.
If Damian didn't sign the order, who did? And why would someone use his authority to commit mass murder? What did they gain from destroying the southern noble houses?
The conversation in Damian's chambers had left her more confused than ever. He'd admitted to ordering the purge, had justified it as necessary, but he'd also seemed troubled by it. Like he questioned whether it had been the right choice.
That wasn't the behavior of a heartless tyrant. But it also wasn't a confession of innocence.
And that signature. That damned signature that didn't match.
Selene needed answers. Real answers. Not just Damian's carefully worded explanations or Alaric's years-old accusations.
