Alaric returned to his study after a harrowing day, his mind weighed down by uncertainty. The dim room, filled with dark oak shelves lined with ancient texts and relics, offered the solace he needed, yet he found no comfort there. Pouring himself a glass of bourbon, he watched the amber liquid swirl, hoping its warmth might dull the sharp edge of his thoughts. Adrianna was back at the Knight's mansion, but her presence felt like a ticking time bomb. He could sense that something had changed within her, something dangerous. While he couldn't put his finger on it, he knew that whatever transformation lay in her blood was as much a threat to her as it was to them.
Raising the glass to his lips, he took a long, contemplative sip. The silence soothed him until a knock shattered the quiet, making him stiffen. Irritation flashed across his face.
"Who is it now?" he barked, his voice dripping with exasperation.
"It's me," replied a calm, authoritative voice.
