ALDRIC
The bathroom door on the second floor clicked shut behind me. I stood there for a moment, letting the silence settle over my shoulders like a familiar coat. The chaos was contained now. Cian had his bleeding omega. Her sister, Hazel had her broken hands, her shattered pride and a new ally in me.
And I had what I came for.
I reached into my chest pocket. My fingers found the handkerchief first. The outer one was white. Pristine. I pulled it out slowly, feeling the weight of what was wrapped inside. The second handkerchief was crimson. Not by design. By opportunity.
I unwrapped it carefully. The fabric was still damp. Still fresh. Blood had a particular smell when it was this new. Metallic. Sharp. Almost sweet if you knew what to look for.
Fia's blood.
