The rain had faded by evening, leaving the stone courtyard of the Regina estate washed clean and glistening beneath the pale silver of the rising moon, while torches along the outer walls flickered softly in the cool air and the scent of damp earth drifted through the quiet gardens like a memory of the storm that had passed.
Alessandro Romano stood alone near the edge of the courtyard.
His coat hung loosely over his shoulders.
The long day had carved tired lines into his expression.
He stared across the dark valley where distant lights from small human towns flickered like scattered stars.
"Hmm."
The sound left him slowly.
Peace had returned to the territory.
At least on the surface.
Yet the quiet felt uneasy.
Like a battlefield after the fighting stopped.
He rubbed the back of his neck.
"Damn."
Too many problems.
Too many secrets.
The wind moved gently through the tall cypress trees.
Then footsteps echoed across the stone.
Slow.
Confident.
Unhurried.
