The Red Salon was unlike any room Aaron had seen in the mansion.
Tall windows were covered by thick crimson curtains that dimmed the light of dawn.
Gold-trimmed bookshelves rose all the way to the ceiling.
The books had no titles—just strange runes and symbols burned into the leather.
They gave off a soft glow in the flickering firelight.
A fire crackled quietly in the fireplace, throwing long shadows across the polished marble floor.
Aaron stood behind Lord Frankfurt Pierce, who sat tall and still in a high-backed chair.
Even this early in the morning, his robe was perfect—every fold in place.
Aaron, wearing his plain servant clothes, felt how far he was from belonging.
This room held power, and secrets, and he was clearly the outsider.
The door opened.
She entered without hesitation.
Tall and calm, dressed in dark blue silk with silver embroidery, the woman moved like someone used to delivering royal messages before breakfast.
Her black gloves were spotless, and a silver pin on her shoulder marked her as part of the House of Eldemar—the royal family of Maro.
She gave a small nod. "Lord Pierce."
"Lady Adrienne," Frankfurt replied. His voice was smooth, but his smile was empty.
"To what do we owe a visit from the court before sunrise?"
Adrienne glanced at Aaron, then back to Frankfurt.
"I didn't know you had new help."
Frankfurt didn't look at Aaron. "He works for me directly. You may speak freely."
Aaron felt the woman's eyes on him. She was studying him—carefully.
Adrienne walked forward and placed a sealed envelope on the table.
"The King's council is uneasy. There have been strange reports across the kingdom. Sightings, disappearances, things that haven't happened since the War of Flame nearly a hundred years ago."
Aaron frowned, but stayed quiet.
Frankfurt raised the envelope. "And what does this have to do with me?"
Adrienne's voice lowered. "Your family has always had certain... sensitivities. Your estate sits on the Old Lines. If anyone would notice the signs, it's you."
Frankfurt raised an eyebrow. "Interesting."
He opened the envelope with a flick of his hand.
Aaron watched in surprise as the letter unfolded in the air.
Blue runes glowed faintly, and silver words began to scroll across the page.
He caught pieces of it:
"Disturbance near the Eastern Reach…"
"A child with sky-colored eyes… vanished without a trace…"
"…blue flame seen in the Hollowmere woods…"
Frankfurt read the whole message in silence.
When he finished, the letter turned to ash and faded.
He stood.
"I'll think about it," he said. "But I don't get involved in court matters anymore."
Adrienne's expression tightened. "You may not have a choice. The old blood is waking again. And that always brings consequences."
Her words hung in the air.
Then she turned sharply and left.
Before leaving, she looked back at Aaron.
This time, her look wasn't cold.
It wasn't suspicion.
It was recognition.
Then she was gone.
The silence that followed was heavy.
Aaron shifted. "What was in that letter?"
Frankfurt walked to the window.
Outside, early morning fog moved slowly through the garden.
"Things better left in the past."
Aaron hesitated. "Was it about me?"
Frankfurt turned, his eyes darker than before.
"Tell me, Aaron… have you ever felt heat under your skin when you were afraid? Or angry? A fire that didn't feel like yours?"
Aaron paused. "Sometimes. I thought it was just in my head."
"It's not."
Frankfurt took a step closer.
"There are powers older than the throne of Maro. Magic tied to fire, air, shadow, and stars. Some bloodlines still carry it."
He stopped just in front of Aaron.
He looked directly into Aaron's strange sky-blue eyes—the ones no one in the Hotveil family had ever shared.
"You've seen the dreams," he said. "That's only the beginning."
Aaron felt something shift inside him.
Like something deep had been touched.
A door opening very slowly.
Frankfurt spoke softly now.
"The court thinks I know what's coming. They're wrong."
Aaron's voice shook. "Then who does?"
Frankfurt gave a small smile. This time, it looked almost sad.
"You will."