Selene received the note two days after her conversation with Damian about needing proof.
"East garden. Midnight. I have what you need. -A"
Her heart pounded as she read it. Alaric had found something. Evidence. Proof that would finally tell her the truth about what happened eight years ago.
She went to the garden despite the late hour. Despite the exhaustion. Despite the part of her that whispered this might be a mistake.
Alaric was waiting. But this time he wasn't alone. He had a leather satchel with him. Documents visible inside.
"You said you needed proof," he said without preamble. "I found it."
"What? How?"
"I've been searching the archives for months. Quietly. Carefully. And I finally found what was hidden."
He pulled out a stack of documents. Handed them to Selene.
"These are the original purge orders. Signed by Damian himself. Not his uncle. Not his advisors. Him."
Selene's hands trembled as she took the papers. Moved closer to the moonlight so she could read.
