There was no time to pretend she was casually inspecting the area around her father's office. With dire news burning a hole in her pocket, Lisbeth barged in, panting.
Not just from running—though she had been sprinting—but mostly from the overwhelming anxiety chewing at her sanity.
"Father, you have to see this!" she exclaimed, barely catching her breath.
As her eyes adjusted to the dim light, she noticed Margrave Nicholas seated calmly across from the vampire king. Lisbeth cleared her throat and squinted as if trying to decode why these two were hanging out like best buddies. Was this a joke?
Her temples throbbed as she resisted the urge to hurl herself at Nicholas for his betrayal. How could he, of all people, side with Elder Alfred? His daughter had been Lisbeth's closest friend for decades, and now this?
