"Is it just me," Viola said slowly in a low, uncertain voice, "or does something feel… off?"
Emerald blinked and glanced out the window as the car pulled to a stop in front of the Western Shadow Fang estate.
The familiar stone courtyard stretched before her, the neatly trimmed hedges, the same marble pillars, the same grey-stone steps leading up to the double doors like they always had.
But something in the air had changed. The sun was out, the gates were open, but…
"It's quiet," Emerald murmured.
"Too quiet." Viola's tone had sharpened.
The driver stepped out and opened the door for her. Emerald stepped down, half-expecting the front door to swing open and a pair of maids to come rushing toward her with excited greetings.
But no one came.
No welcome party, no maids rushing to greet her, no smiling guards or familiar faces gathered by the steps with flowers or flags. After all she'd been through, she thought coming home might feel like a breath of fresh air.
