Chapter 58 — The Hand Behind the Crown
The smoke hadn't cleared yet.
Emergency lights painted the ruins in harsh white and red, flashing across twisted metal, shattered stone, and scorched walls. Sirens wailed outside the mansion grounds, growing louder by the second, but inside the collapsed east wing, time felt frozen.
Kiera sat on the cold concrete floor, Leo curled tightly against her chest. His breathing had finally evened out, exhaustion dragging him into sleep despite the chaos. Kade knelt beside them, one hand resting protectively on Kiera's shoulder, the other clenched tight as if holding himself together by force alone.
Vivienne was gone.
Fallen.
Silenced.
But Kiera didn't feel victorious.
She felt watched.
A team of emergency responders rushed past them, shouting instructions, checking debris, pulling survivors from the wreckage. Someone tried to guide Kiera to her feet, but she shook her head, refusing to let go of Leo.
